The ZONE Podcast: Nerdy News and Reviews

JetBlackXtreme
  • 4.0 (1)
  • ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

We, the Zealots of Nerd Entertainment (or the ZONE Alliance), are a group of  eople talking about old and new movies, television shows, video games, and everything else in nerd/pop culture!

  1. 1D AGO

    RUMBLE GARANNDOLL: Chibi Mechs and the Censorship of Otaku Fandom

    What if a Showa-era Japan crossed dimensions, crushed modern tech, and censored every spark of otaku culture—then discovered passion could still punch back? We dive into Rumble Garandoll’s high-concept world where mechs run on shared enthusiasm and rebellion wears a chibi smile. The premise lands fast: Ginbu gas shuts down conventional weapons, the True Army puppets the state, and anime, idols, and games move underground. In that pressure cooker, style becomes strategy and fandom becomes fuel. We follow Hosomichi, a smooth talker hiding his love for a “failed” mecha classic his father produced. That family shadow reframes his distance as protection, not apathy, and his near-heist with Munakata tests whether he’ll cash out or commit. The Battery Girls—Reen the anime diehard, Yuki the last idol with teeth, and Misa the shut-in hacker—turn the cockpit into a trust exercise. Sync equals strength; misalignment breaks metal and hearts. A sharp twist with Yamada and Mimi hammers the cost of being out of tune, converting emotional static into literal damage on the field. We break down the animal-themed Garandoll designs, the punchy music cues, and the way cute projections offset real stakes without draining them. We also call out what’s missing: with only twelve episodes, the True Army feels capable but thin, and a charged bond between Reen and Hayate needed more time to smolder before the reveal. Still, the show’s core idea sings—culture isn’t fluff, it’s power. Songs, shows, and games carry memory and meaning, and in this story they power a fight for identity one synced heartbeat at a time. Hit play to hear our full take, from standout moments to the 8.5 score and the case for a longer run. If this blend of alt-history, mecha spectacle, and fandom-as-fuel speaks to you, subscribe, share the pod with a friend, and drop a review telling us which Battery Girl you’d pilot with and why. Text us for feedback and recommendations for future episodes! Support the show We thank everyone for listening to our podcast! We hope to grow even bigger to make great things happen, such as new equipment for higher-quality podcasts, a merch store & more! If you're interested in supporting us, giving us feedback and staying in the loop with updates, then follow our ZONE Social Media Portal to access our website, our Discord server, our Patreon page, and other social media platforms! DISCLAIMER: The thoughts and opinions shared within are those of the speaker. We encourage everyone to do their own research and to experience the content mentioned at your own volition. We try not to reveal spoilers to those who are not up to speed, but in case some slips out, please be sure to check out the source material before you continue listening! Stay nerdy and stay faithful, - J.B. Subscribe to "Content for Creators" on YouTube to listen to some of the music used for these episodes!

    13 min

  2. FEB 16

    Planet With: Mecha, Mystery and a Cat Sensei!

    What if the “heroes” aren’t using heroic tools? We dive into Planet With, where an amnesiac teen, a pacifist purple cat, and a sharp-eyed ally challenge what it means to save a world. The twist is simple and potent: Soya might need to stop the very defenders sworn to protect the city. From that turn, the series becomes a study in power, restraint, and the messy courage it takes to choose better weapons than the ones that broke you. We unpack the show’s core—from Soya’s recovered memories of Sirius’s fall to the Nebulan factions led by Sensei, a leader who meows strategy and stands for mercy first. The transformation mechanic is brilliantly strange: Soya is swallowed to pilot a compact cat mech, a trust ritual that sets the tone for every battle. The enemies are unforgettable fever dreams—upside-down giant babies, geometric beasts, occult echoes—that play like metaphors for fear and hubris. Along the way, we meet Grand Paladin’s roster, the sealing faction’s canine commander, and a web of side characters whose choices make the moral stakes feel lived-in rather than abstract. We don’t just list set pieces. We talk about the mixed CGI, where it distracts and where it elevates alien tech. We sit with grief, responsibility, and the hope that survivors can write gentler futures. And yes, we give a verdict: 7.5 out of 10 for inventive design, emotional clarity, and a confident blend of mecha spectacle with ethical tension. Stick around to hear what’s next on our review slate—from Guilty Crown and Buddy Complex to a nostalgic return to FLCL and Full Metal Panic—and help us decide what should jump the queue. If this breakdown hit the spot, tap follow, share it with a mecha-loving friend, and drop a review with your own Planet With score. What faction are you joining—and why? Text us for feedback and recommendations for future episodes! Support the show We thank everyone for listening to our podcast! We hope to grow even bigger to make great things happen, such as new equipment for higher-quality podcasts, a merch store & more! If you're interested in supporting us, giving us feedback and staying in the loop with updates, then follow our ZONE Social Media Portal to access our website, our Discord server, our Patreon page, and other social media platforms! DISCLAIMER: The thoughts and opinions shared within are those of the speaker. We encourage everyone to do their own research and to experience the content mentioned at your own volition. We try not to reveal spoilers to those who are not up to speed, but in case some slips out, please be sure to check out the source material before you continue listening! Stay nerdy and stay faithful, - J.B. Subscribe to "Content for Creators" on YouTube to listen to some of the music used for these episodes!

    11 min

  3. FEB 15

    May I Ask for One Final Thing?: He Broke The Engagement; She Broke His Nose

    A royal ball, a smug prince, and a script we’ve all seen before—until Scarlet smiles and asks for one final thing. From that audacious opening, we dig into May I Ask for One Final Thing and why its supposed villainess becomes a standout heroine who refuses to play nice with cruel people. We walk through the breakup bombshell, the sly humor, and the fight choreography that turns time magic into a visual punchline, then a delayed gut punch. The show swings between romance tropes and shonen energy, and we explore how it uses both to challenge bad dating advice and the myth that meanness equals affection. We break down a stacked cast: Kyle, a paper‑thin tyrant who exits early; Julius, the polished first prince with class blinders; Nanaka, the beastkin freed from servitude who finds purpose at Scarlet’s side; Alflame, a dragon tamer whose absurd durability finally makes Scarlet try; and Saint Diana, sweet yet steel‑spined. Then we zoom out to the blessing system that feels delightfully like quirks with theology. Scarlet’s time gift lets her outthink brute force, Diana’s wards protect more than lives, and Julius’s “heroic tale” power demands mutual love—strength tied to relationship, not ego. It’s smart worldbuilding that keeps action and theme intertwined. And yes, the gods are messy. A jealous goddess crafts a body, snatches a soul, and seeds an isekai antagonist with charm magic, turning divine drama into court intrigue at cosmic scale. We talk payoffs, that chaotic climax, and why the season’s ending feels satisfyingly complete even as it leaves room for more. Our verdict lands at 8.5/10: killer art, sharp writing, and a heroine who steals scenes. The one gripe? Stakes. When Scarlet rarely sweats, tension thins. If a second season arrives, we want a rival who truly pushes her. If you’re into villainess subversions, fantasy romance with bite, or magic systems that matter, hit play, then tell us: do you prefer power fantasies or hard‑won underdog climbs? Subscribe, share the episode with a friend, and drop a review so more anime fans can find the show. Text us for feedback and recommendations for future episodes! Support the show We thank everyone for listening to our podcast! We hope to grow even bigger to make great things happen, such as new equipment for higher-quality podcasts, a merch store & more! If you're interested in supporting us, giving us feedback and staying in the loop with updates, then follow our ZONE Social Media Portal to access our website, our Discord server, our Patreon page, and other social media platforms! DISCLAIMER: The thoughts and opinions shared within are those of the speaker. We encourage everyone to do their own research and to experience the content mentioned at your own volition. We try not to reveal spoilers to those who are not up to speed, but in case some slips out, please be sure to check out the source material before you continue listening! Stay nerdy and stay faithful, - J.B. Subscribe to "Content for Creators" on YouTube to listen to some of the music used for these episodes!

    15 min

  4. FEB 14

    Date A Live: From Spatial Quakes to Spirit Romance

    What if the only way to stop an apocalypse was a first date? Our Valentine’s special takes a sharp, funny, and surprisingly tender look at Date A Live, where spatial quakes level cities, spirits bend reality, and a soft-spoken teen seals world-ending power with a kiss. We kick off with the premise—romance as crisis management—then trace how that playful hook mutates into a dense web of factions, betrayals, and big ethical swings. The AST wants control. DEM wants dominion. Shido wants consent, connection, and a path that saves both humans and spirits without erasing who they are. We walk through each season’s turning points: the early charm of Tohka and Yoshino, Kurumi’s time-twisted menace, and Origami’s grief sharpened into resolve. Then the framework cracks wide open. Natsumi blurs identity. The twins and Miku test loyalty and ego. Nia reads truth like panels, winking at the series’ structure while revealing how stories trap their heroes. Inverse forms flip the good-versus-evil script; the “corruption” is closer to a core self than a stain. Phantom steps out of the shadows, and Mio’s origin reframes the entire cast as pieces of a single, shattering love story engineered by hubris. By season five, the mask is off. Shido’s past life as Shinji, Mio’s desperate choice to scatter impossible power into many hearts, and Westcott’s calculated cruelty turn the harem joke into a myth about consent, agency, and the weight of design. The kiss mechanic stops being a punchline and becomes a question: when does affection liberate, and when does it coerce? Between the gags, banger themes, and crisp battles, the series dares to say love can be logistics, sacrifice, and strategy at once. We land on an 8.5, with praise for escalating stakes, layered worldbuilding, and a finale that pays off years of setup. Hit play, then tell us: is the romance device clever satire or a moral tightrope? Subscribe, share with a fellow fan, and drop a review with your best girl pick—Tohka, Kurumi, or Origami—we’re ready for the debate. Text us for feedback and recommendations for future episodes! Support the show We thank everyone for listening to our podcast! We hope to grow even bigger to make great things happen, such as new equipment for higher-quality podcasts, a merch store & more! If you're interested in supporting us, giving us feedback and staying in the loop with updates, then follow our ZONE Social Media Portal to access our website, our Discord server, our Patreon page, and other social media platforms! DISCLAIMER: The thoughts and opinions shared within are those of the speaker. We encourage everyone to do their own research and to experience the content mentioned at your own volition. We try not to reveal spoilers to those who are not up to speed, but in case some slips out, please be sure to check out the source material before you continue listening! Stay nerdy and stay faithful, - J.B. Subscribe to "Content for Creators" on YouTube to listen to some of the music used for these episodes!

    29 min

  5. FEB 10

    Fallout (Season 2): New Vegas and New Lines Crossed

    Power rarely announces itself; it hides in helpful tech, polished speeches, and the stories we tell to sleep at night. Our latest review dives headfirst into Fallout Season 2’s brutal calculus: New Vegas as a glittering stalemate, mind control as a management strategy, and the thin line between saving someone and crowning a tyrant. We trace Lucy’s iron optimism through a prison of choices, from a hospital rescue that backfires to a final moment with Hank that cuts deeper than any bullet. We follow Cooper, the man under the ghoul, through flashbacks that recast him as a loyal soldier and a betrayed husband, and we weigh whether a clue in Colorado can still mend a family that time and radiation have twisted. Inside the Brotherhood, the armor looks the same, but the orders don’t. Maximus stumbles into leadership and faces a rift sharpened by relics and pride, where a single decision to protect ghoul children burns every rule he signed. Dane and Thaddeus add tension and comic grit, while Area 51 and the Liberty Prime blueprint promise a war that will outsize any power armor. On the Strip, House pitches survival as math, the NCR hedges its bets, and Caesar’s Legion returns with a polished voice and a paper crown that still cuts. The “Kaiser’s Palace” wink lands hard because it’s true of every faction here: mythmaking is the only currency that never devalues. Down in the vaults, the satire stings. Norm drags Vault-Tec’s suits into daylight, only to find the company’s best product was always obedience. Steph’s path from occupied Canada to a ceremony nobody asked for expands the map and raises the stakes on identity, memory, and who gets to write the official version. Hank’s chip network exposes a quiet empire built on borrowed wills. Lucy’s last act with her father—mercy as amputation—asks a question we can’t shake: if the wasteland can’t hold a fair trial, what does justice look like? Stream the full breakdown for sharp takes, lore links, and bold season three bets, from New Vegas sieges to that Colorado tease. If you enjoy these deep dives, follow, share with a friend, and leave a quick review—what choice hit you hardest this season? Text us for feedback and recommendations for future episodes! Support the show We thank everyone for listening to our podcast! We hope to grow even bigger to make great things happen, such as new equipment for higher-quality podcasts, a merch store & more! If you're interested in supporting us, giving us feedback and staying in the loop with updates, then follow our ZONE Social Media Portal to access our website, our Discord server, our Patreon page, and other social media platforms! DISCLAIMER: The thoughts and opinions shared within are those of the speaker. We encourage everyone to do their own research and to experience the content mentioned at your own volition. We try not to reveal spoilers to those who are not up to speed, but in case some slips out, please be sure to check out the source material before you continue listening! Stay nerdy and stay faithful, - J.B. Subscribe to "Content for Creators" on YouTube to listen to some of the music used for these episodes!

    1h 15m

  6. FEB 9

    Dragonaut -The Resonance-: Mecha, Romance and Mixed Feelings

    A space rock stalls over Pluto, dragons awaken from the deep, and a single choice splits a life in two—perfect ingredients for a mecha romance that should hit like a meteor. We dive into Dragonaut: The Resonance with an honest look at what soars, what sputters, and why this cult title still stirs debate years later. The hook is strong: human-dragon resonance, a secretive agency pushing weaponized bonds, and a love story tethered to the worst day of an 18-year-old’s life. The execution, though, swings between thrilling and thin, and that tension fuels our take. We unpack the worldbuilding around Thanatos, ISDA’s D-Project, and the biomechanical dragons that blur partner and machine. Jin’s arc becomes a fulcrum: the manga’s hard-edged avenger versus the anime’s softer, reactive lead. That shift shapes every decision he makes with Toa, whose power and guilt should form the show’s moral core. Her reveal—both savior and source of his loss—ought to spark a layered reckoning about blame, grief, and the limits of forgiveness. Instead, the romance leans on quick absolution and late confessions that strain believability. Gio changes the charge. Born to Toa’s cry, he reframes the triangle into a protective pact, aligning with Jin to keep her safe while exposing Kazuki’s slide from friend to rival. We break down how loyalty, pride, and control collide across these relationships, why the combat design favors barriers and blades over brute force, and where dated but clear visuals still deliver. We also talk pacing stumbles, an OVA that bends tone, and the genre bar for mecha romance: resonance needs character steel, not just spectacle. If you’re curious about flawed love stories, dragon partners, and whether a 6.5 is too harsh or just right, this one’s for you. Listen, then tell us: does forgiveness here feel brave or blind? Subscribe, share with a mecha-loving friend, and drop a review with your score and favorite moment. Text us for feedback and recommendations for future episodes! Support the show We thank everyone for listening to our podcast! We hope to grow even bigger to make great things happen, such as new equipment for higher-quality podcasts, a merch store & more! If you're interested in supporting us, giving us feedback and staying in the loop with updates, then follow our ZONE Social Media Portal to access our website, our Discord server, our Patreon page, and other social media platforms! DISCLAIMER: The thoughts and opinions shared within are those of the speaker. We encourage everyone to do their own research and to experience the content mentioned at your own volition. We try not to reveal spoilers to those who are not up to speed, but in case some slips out, please be sure to check out the source material before you continue listening! Stay nerdy and stay faithful, - J.B. Subscribe to "Content for Creators" on YouTube to listen to some of the music used for these episodes!

    22 min

  7. FEB 2

    AMAIM: Giant Robots, Bigger Feelings, and Zero Love Triangles

    A stolen tomato, a tired laugh, and a boy who’d rather fix things than break them—until the world leaves him no choice. We dive into AMAIM: Warrior at the Borderline and follow Amou, a soft-spoken scavenger, as he pairs with Gai, a talkative autonomous AI, to awaken the rare mech Kenbu and step into a fight he never wanted. What starts as survival under occupation turns into a high-stakes map of pressure points: a resistance network, a city built on compromise, and a rogue AI that turns victory into a moral hazard. We trace the major beats that make this story sing. Amou’s early rescue and the farm sanctuary reveal how scarcity shapes character; gratitude and empathy become more radical than any weapon. Meeting Yatagarasu reframes duty as a choice with no safe answer, and the team dynamic with Gashin and Shion adds steel without adding melodrama. Yusei’s autonomous city becomes the episode’s hinge: can a community traded for supplies still be free? When betrayal surfaces, it isn’t cartoon evil—it’s what coercion looks like when survival meets leverage. From there, the conversation widens into AI ethics, tactics, and craft. Ghost, the runaway unit, forces a blunt question about autonomy at machine speed, while Gai’s grandiloquence keeps the tone human and oddly hopeful. We call out clean mech silhouettes, thoughtful combat design, and a score that sells the stress of heat loads and missile locks. Most of all, we sit with the quiet costs—children witnessing violence, pilots doubting their own reflection, and a nation caught between rebellion and deal-making. Our verdict lands at a confident 8 out of 10: thrilling fights, grounded politics, and heart that feels earned. If you’re into mecha with real stakes, clear worldbuilding, and characters who carry consequence, queue this review and tell us where you stand on peace through negotiation versus resistance. Subscribe for our next Mecha Monday, share with a friend who loves giant robots, and drop a review to help more listeners find the show. Which series should we review next? Text us for feedback and recommendations for future episodes! Support the show We thank everyone for listening to our podcast! We hope to grow even bigger to make great things happen, such as new equipment for higher-quality podcasts, a merch store & more! If you're interested in supporting us, giving us feedback and staying in the loop with updates, then follow our ZONE Social Media Portal to access our website, our Discord server, our Patreon page, and other social media platforms! DISCLAIMER: The thoughts and opinions shared within are those of the speaker. We encourage everyone to do their own research and to experience the content mentioned at your own volition. We try not to reveal spoilers to those who are not up to speed, but in case some slips out, please be sure to check out the source material before you continue listening! Stay nerdy and stay faithful, - J.B. Subscribe to "Content for Creators" on YouTube to listen to some of the music used for these episodes!

    21 min

  8. JAN 30

    Astarotte's Toy: When Fantasy Crosses A Line

    A fantasy world can be daring without crossing a line. We take a hard look at Lotte No Omocha, the succubus-princess anime that mixes slice of life, romance, and harem tropes with a premise that feels wrong at its core. From the first minutes, we map the lore of essence, the court politics surrounding a reluctant heir, and the monster realm’s myths about humans. Then we confront the central problem: a web of relationships and ages that turns would-be comedy and tenderness into discomfort. Across the episode, we unpack the character roster—Lottie, Naoya, Ashua, the queen, and the castle staff—and trace how their connections build a family tree that’s more shocking than clever. The episode guide hits the big beats: a school arc that tries to humanize the cast, a parent-teacher summit that reveals hidden ties, a detour to the human world that drains magic, and a world tree crisis that threatens to erase memories. Beach day, festival night, rival prince—every familiar anime set piece arrives on schedule, yet each one bumps against unresolved issues of consent, agency, and power. Still, there’s real craft in the setting. The succubus society offers a lens on tradition and expectation; the queen’s choices hint at a richer political drama; the world tree provides a strong metaphor for imbalance between realms. We call out those strengths while drawing a clear line: the romance framing doesn’t earn its stakes and the ethical missteps eclipse the good ideas. Our final verdict is firm—a 2 out of 10—and our reasons are specific, from character writing to tone management. If you care about storytelling that respects its audience and its characters, you’ll want to hear this breakdown before you queue it up. Subscribe for more candid anime reviews, share this with a friend who loves fantasy worldbuilding, and leave a review to tell us where you draw the line with controversial tropes. Text us for feedback and recommendations for future episodes! Support the show We thank everyone for listening to our podcast! We hope to grow even bigger to make great things happen, such as new equipment for higher-quality podcasts, a merch store & more! If you're interested in supporting us, giving us feedback and staying in the loop with updates, then follow our ZONE Social Media Portal to access our website, our Discord server, our Patreon page, and other social media platforms! DISCLAIMER: The thoughts and opinions shared within are those of the speaker. We encourage everyone to do their own research and to experience the content mentioned at your own volition. We try not to reveal spoilers to those who are not up to speed, but in case some slips out, please be sure to check out the source material before you continue listening! Stay nerdy and stay faithful, - J.B. Subscribe to "Content for Creators" on YouTube to listen to some of the music used for these episodes!

    19 min
See All (432)

About

We, the Zealots of Nerd Entertainment (or the ZONE Alliance), are a group of  eople talking about old and new movies, television shows, video games, and everything else in nerd/pop culture!

Information