The Anime Effect

Latest Episodes:

Can You Survive the World's Worst Tournament Arc? | 132 Oct 16, 2026

Show notes

The Anime Effect is live from NYCC as Tom Cruise enters his anime era. Plus, we dive into The Guy She Was Interested In Wasn’t a Guy at All, The Boxer anime, Dr. STONE TERRAFORMING, and build the world’s worst tournament arc because we can.
Would you survive our unhinged tournament arc? Send us your anime questions, hot takes, and recommendations: https://got.cr/AnimeEffectQuestions
The Anime Effect is Crunchyroll’s weekly anime podcast hosted by Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, and Leah President. Each week, the crew dives into the biggest anime news, interviews creators and guests, shares recommendations, debates fandom hot topics, and answers listeners' questions.
HOSTS: Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, Leah President
SHOWRUNNER: Megan Peters
V/A DIRECTOR: Shaun Michael Colon
MARKETING PRODUCER: Carla Solorzano
From The Anime Effect podcast to video essays, interviews, and deep dives on your favorite anime, Crunchyroll Presents takes you closer to the world of anime.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We Try Creating a NEW Hit Anime in 60 Seconds | 131 Oct 09, 2026

Show notes

Vote for us! https://got.cr/TAE-Shorty-26

This week, The Anime Effect moves into its new studio while the Fall anime season kicks our watchlists into high gear. PLUS, we break down an $8.4 million Pikachu sale, Dragon Ball Super: Beerus coming to Crunchyroll, and “Pitch, Please!,” a cursed game where anime prompts get way out of hand.

This week on The Anime Effect:

⭐ Toshio Furukawa on Piccolo's legacy

⭐ Fall 2026 anime premieres

⭐ A $8.4M Pokémon card

⭐ Dragon Ball Super: Beerus on Crunchyroll

Are you already watching the Fall 2026 season? Send us your anime questions, hot takes, and recommendations: [https://got.cr/AnimeEffectQuestions]

The Anime Effect is Crunchyroll’s weekly anime podcast hosted by Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, and Leah President. Each week, the crew dives into the biggest anime news, interviews creators and guests, shares recommendations, debates fandom hot topics, and answers listeners' questions.

HOSTS: Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, Leah President

SHOWRUNNER: Megan Peters

V/A DIRECTOR: Shaun Michael Colon

MARKETING PRODUCER: Carla Solorzano

From The Anime Effect podcast to video essays, interviews, and deep dives on your favorite anime, Crunchyroll Presents takes you closer to the world of anime.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Behind the Voices of You and I Are Polar Opposites with The Anime Effect | NEWS Oct 07, 2026

Show notes

You and I Are Polar Opposites: actors Sayumi Suzushiro and Shogo Sakata join The Anime Effect in this Anime Expo special to talk about awkward young love and why opposites really do attract.

PLUS, we pitch perfect dates and reveal the tiny moments that make the pair’s rom-com hit so hard.

Do you get why opposites attract now? Send us your anime questions, hot takes, and recommendations: https://got.cr/AnimeEffectQuestions

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Obsession's Megan Lawless Is Ready for Her Anime Era | 130 Oct 02, 2026

Show notes

LEGO Dragon Ball is officially happening! The Anime Effect breaks down Goku’s first brick kit featuring Shenron!

PLUS, actress Megan Lawless joins the show to talk about Obsession, Demon Slayer, and how anime is inspiring her new era. We also break down the latest anime news, including Naruto’s big anime teaser and Japan’s massive Pokémon x Starbucks collab.

This week on The Anime Effect:

⭐ LEGO Dragon Ball, Shenron & Goku

⭐ Megan Lawless joins the show

⭐ The Apothecary Diaries Season 3

⭐ Pokémon x Starbucks Japan

Which anime needs a LEGO treatment ASAP? Send us your anime questions, hot takes, and recommendations:

https://got.cr/AnimeEffectQuestions](https://got.cr/AnimeEffectQuestions

HOSTS: Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, Leah President

SHOWRUNNER: Megan Peters

V/A DIRECTOR: Shaun Michael Colon

MARKETING PRODUCER: Carla Solorzano

From The Anime Effect podcast to video essays, interviews, and deep dives on your favorite anime, Crunchyroll Presents takes you closer to the world of anime.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our Worst Anime Takes Aged TERRIBLY, We Admit It | 129 Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

Crunchyroll’s Fall 2026 anime lineup is officially here! We’re breaking down the biggest new and returning anime of the season, including Black Clover Season 2, The Apothecary Diaries Season 3, Aoashi Season 2, Magic Knight Rayearth, Firefly Wedding, Overgeared, PSYREN, and more.
Plus, Michael B. Jordan reveals his anime ambitions, and The Anime Effect launches its Anime Apology Tour by revisiting the AWFUL takes we once defended with our lives.
This week on The Anime Effect:
⭐ Crunchyroll’s Fall 2026 anime lineup
⭐ Michael B. Jordan’s anime ambitions
⭐ Confessing our worst anime takes
What anime take of yours aged the worst? Send us your anime questions, hot takes, and recommendations: https://got.cr/AnimeEffectQuestions
The Anime Effect is Crunchyroll’s weekly anime podcast hosted by Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, and Leah President. Each week, the crew dives into the biggest anime news, interviews creators and guests, shares recommendations, debates fandom hot topics, and answers listeners' questions.
HOSTS: Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, Leah President
SHOWRUNNER: Megan Peters
V/A DIRECTOR: Shaun Michael Colon
MARKETING PRODUCER: Carla Solorzano

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Spider-Man's Jacob Batalon Has Better Anime Taste Than You | 128 Sep 18, 2026

Show notes

Jacob Batalon joins The Anime Effect this week to talk Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Solo Leveling, Naruto, isekai dreams, and the pop culture that prepared him to play Ned Leeds in the MCU.
Plus! We break down the wild idea that Pokémon cards will one day become currency, the new Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake, and more!
This week on The Anime Effect:
⭐ Jacob Batalon joins the show
⭐ We redeem our favorite anime villains
⭐ Pokémon cards as currency??
⭐ The Legend of Zelda remake reactions
Which anime do you consider required viewing? Send us your anime questions, hot takes, and recommendations: https://got.cr/AnimeEffectQuestions
The Anime Effect is Crunchyroll’s weekly anime podcast hosted by Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, and Leah President. Each week, the crew dives into the biggest anime news, interviews creators and guests, shares recommendations, debates fandom hot topics, and answers listeners' questions.
HOSTS: Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, Leah President
SHOWRUNNER: Megan Peters
V/A DIRECTOR: Shaun Michael Colon
MARKETING PRODUCER: Carla Solorzano
From The Anime Effect podcast to video essays, interviews, and deep dives on your favorite anime, Crunchyroll Presents takes you closer to the world of anime.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How Kenny Omega Became All Might IRL | 127 Sep 11, 2026

Show notes

Kenny Omega joins The Anime Effect to talk anime, wrestling, and the Japanese pop culture that shaped his career. From Astro Boy to Hajime no Ippo and My Hero Academia, the AEW star isn't shy about his fandoms!
PLUS, we celebrate Attack on Titan Day, break down The Apothecary Diaries live-action series, and size up Crocs' new Yu-Gi-Oh! collection!

This week on The Anime Effect:
⭐ Kenny Omega joins the show
⭐ Attack on Titan Day celebrations begin: https://got.cr/AOTDay
⭐ The Apothecary Diaries' new show: https://got.cr/TADLiveActionSeries
⭐ Yu-Gi-Oh! Crocs & Pokémon Blu-ray arrivals: https://got.cr/YGOCrocs

What We're Watching:

⭐ Dragon Ball Super: Broly

⭐ Attack on Titan

⭐ Akira

Which other anime need their own holiday? Send us your anime questions, hot takes, and recommendations: https://got.cr/AnimeEffectQuestions

HOSTS: Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, Leah President
SHOWRUNNER: Megan Peters
V/A DIRECTOR: Shaun Michael Colon
MARKETING PRODUCER: Carla Solorzano

From The Anime Effect podcast to video essays, interviews, and deep dives on your favorite anime, Crunchyroll Presents takes you closer to the world of anime.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Meet the Anime & Comics Shaping Marvel’s Iman Vellani | 126 Sep 04, 2026

Show notes

Iman Vellani joins The Anime Effect to talk Ms. Marvel, Attack on Titan, comics, and the anime fandoms that fuel her and her new Image Comics series, Chachu.

Plus, we break down anime’s big wrestling crossover with AEW, SpongeBob SquarePants x ONE PIECE Happy Meals, Burger King x Dragon Ball, Pokémon: Wild Card, and more.

This week on The Anime Effect:
⭐ Iman Vellani joins the show
⭐ AEW brings anime to London - https://got.cr/4xG3JGP
⭐ SpongeBob x ONE PIECE - https://got.cr/SpongeBobOP
⭐ Pokémon: Wild Card anime movie - https://got.cr/PokemonWildCard

What We're Watching:

⭐ Dragon Ball Super: Broly - https://got.cr/462AstE

⭐ Haikyu!! - https://got.cr/4x7fBjS

⭐ Cyberpunk: Edgerunners - https://got.cr/4icnDnV

Should Iman Vellani’s tackle anime next? Send us your anime questions, hot takes, and recommendations: https://got.cr/AnimeEffectQuestions

HOSTS: Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, Leah President
SHOWRUNNER: Megan Peters
V/A DIRECTOR: Shaun Michael Colon
MARKETING PRODUCER: Carla Solorzano

From The Anime Effect podcast to video essays, interviews, and deep dives on your favorite anime, Crunchyroll Presents takes you closer to the world of anime.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Real Anime Story Behind Scott Pilgrim w/ Bryan Lee O’Malley | 125 Aug 28, 2026

Show notes

Scott Pilgrim creator Bryan Lee O’Malley joins The Anime Effect to unpack the anime and manga roots behind his hit series, his history with SCIENCE SARU, and his return to Scott Pilgrim with a brand-new comic.

Plus, we break down anime's growing footprint in theme parks, One Piece’s new movies, Charles Melton’s Naruto casting, and the anime we’re watching this week.

This week on The Anime Effect:

⭐ Bryan Lee O’Malley joins the show

⭐ One Piece announces new movies: https://got.cr/OPNewMovies

⭐ Charles Melton in talks for Naruto’s Kakashi: https://bit.ly/4qJYoeH

⭐ Dragon Ball Z, Chainsaw Man, and more anime theme park updates

What We're Watching:

Scott Pilgrim Takes Off: https://bit.ly/4y7IAF8

BLACK TORCH: https://got.cr/BLKTRH

Princess Jellyfish: https://got.cr/PRNJELLY

Which anime do you want represented in your favorite theme park? Send us your anime questions, hot takes, and recommendations: https://got.cr/AnimeEffectQuestions

HOSTS: Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, Leah President

SHOWRUNNER: Megan Peters

V/A DIRECTOR: Shaun Michael Colon

MARKETING PRODUCER: Carla Solorzano

From The Anime Effect podcast to video essays, interviews, and deep dives on your favorite anime, Crunchyroll Presents takes you closer to the world of anime.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kingdom Hearts Anime Is Finally Happening, Don’t Panic | NEWS Aug 21, 2026

Show notes

Kingdom Hearts is finally getting an anime, and yes, we are so serious about it. The Anime Effect is breaking down the Kingdom Hearts anime for Disney+ and Disney Channel, why Sora’s story is such a massive deal to gamers, and why this show kept us waiting.
Plus, we review Krispy Kreme’s Pokémon donuts, dive into The Apothecary Diaries Season 3, celebrate Witch Hat Atelier’s Astra TV Award win, and more.
This week on The Anime Effect:
⭐ Kingdom Hearts anime is on the horizon
⭐ The ‘00s video games that still need anime adaptations
⭐ The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 update
⭐ Witch Hat Atelier wins big at the Astra Awards
⭐ Skip and Loafer Season 2 eyes its premiere
⭐ Krispy Kreme’s Pokémon donuts steal the mic
Send us your anime questions, hot takes, and recommendations: https://got.cr/AnimeEffectQuestions
The Anime Effect is Crunchyroll’s weekly anime podcast hosted by Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, and Leah President. Each week, the crew dives into the biggest anime news, interviews creators and guests, shares recommendations, debates fandom hot topics, and answers listeners' questions.
HOSTS: Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, Leah President
SHOWRUNNER: Megan Peters
V/A DIRECTOR: Shaun Michael Colon
MARKETING PRODUCER: Carla Solorzano
From The Anime Effect podcast to video essays, interviews, and deep dives on your favorite anime, Crunchyroll Presents takes you closer to the world of anime.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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