Bento Radio

Alex Holt-Cohan
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Visual Arts
  • Updated Weekly

After more than two decades of devouring every shonen, shojo, seinen, and josei anime he could find, this seasoned oldtaku is still watching—week to week, episode by episode—and he’s not stopping anytime soon. Join him every week for fresh takes on your favorite series, hidden gems you’ve never heard of, and the kind of anime reflections only years of obsession can bring. Follow the host here: Bluesky Instagram YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 3d ago

    Summer 2026 Watch list

    In this episode, Alex dives into his most anticipated shows for the Summer 2026 anime season, offering a thoughtful mix of returning heavy-hitters and daring newcomers. After a quick update on studio heat woes and a reminder to subscribe, review, and visit bento-box.ghost.io, Alex frames the episode around how early screenings at conventions like Anime NYC (which he’ll be covering with full press credentials in August 2026) often surface a standout series each year. First, he spotlights the return of Job Reinarnation (Mashiro no Tensei) Season 3, discussing its foundational role in shaping modern isekai, its unflinching portrayal of a flawed protagonist, and his excitement to see Studio White Fox’s adaptation of notoriously “troubled places” teased in the trailers; he notes this season will stream on Crunchyroll. Next, Alex breaks down a new Ghost in the Shell project that aims for a closer, quirkier manga-faithful tone—embracing the franchise’s gag-laden, sometimes offbeat roots—and flags the practical headache that it will stream on Amazon Prime Video. Finally, he introduces Jimo Psycho, an original series likely on Netflix, a darkly comedic slice-of-life set in a rough neighborhood where “cute girls doing cute things” becomes gang scuffles and drug-fueled Saturdays, probing broader questions about unvarnished depictions of real urban life. He closes with calls to subscribe, review, and visit his site for interviews and Anime NYC coverage. Visit https://bento-box.ghost.io/ for more anime thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    34 min

  2. Jun 25

    Witch Hat Atelier

    In this episode of Bento Radio, I take a deep dive into one of the year’s most fascinating fantasy anime and explore why Witch Hat Atelier resonates so strongly with artists and creative people. We discuss its beautiful worldbuilding, its thoughtful magic system, the importance of apprenticeship, and what the series has to say about learning, teaching, and mastering a craft. Along the way, I compare its approach to creativity with series like Frieren and Chainsaw Man, examine how the show reflects real artistic education, and explore why its themes are surprisingly relevant to today’s conversations about AI and creative work. If you enjoy thoughtful anime criticism and discussions about storytelling, worldbuilding, and the creative process, this episode is for you. If you enjoyed the show, please consider following Bento Radio on your favorite podcast app and leaving a five-star review. It helps more anime fans discover the podcast. Visit https://bento-box.ghost.io/ for more anime thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    39 min

  3. Jun 18

    His and Her Circumstances

    His and Her Circumstances is unlike any other romance anime from it's time but it's also how you get shows like Horimiya and out and I are Polar Opposites to name a few and that's befor you deal with the fact that it's the thing that Ginax made and Hideki Anno directed after Evangelion and you already have the reason to watch it Visit https://bento-box.ghost.io/ for more anime thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    39 min

  4. Jun 11

    Dead Account

    This week on Bento Radio, Alex takes a look at Dead Account, a supernatural battle shonen built around haunted social media accounts, digital ghosts, and internet culture. While the premise is surprisingly interesting, the series struggles under the weight of its influences. The episode explores how modern shonen evolved from Dragon Ball to Hunter x Hunter, Naruto, and Jujutsu Kaisen, and examines where Dead Account fits into that lineage. Along the way, Alex discusses anime’s relationship with technology, social media, and why borrowing great ideas isn’t enough if you don’t understand what made them work in the first place. A deep dive into one of the most fascinating misses in recent anime. Visit https://bento-box.ghost.io/ for more anime thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    36 min

  5. Jun 4

    Serial Experiments Lain

    In this episode of Bento Radio, Alex finally dives into Serial Experiments Lain, a landmark anime that has spent decades building a reputation as one of the medium’s most challenging and prophetic works. What begins as a discussion of a quiet middle school girl drawn into the Wired quickly becomes an exploration of how Lain anticipated many of the questions that define life online today. From social media algorithms and digital identity to internet rabbit holes, online rumor mills, and the growing influence of AI, the series feels remarkably relevant nearly thirty years after its release. Along the way, Alex reflects on his own relationship with technology, why he avoided covering Lain for so long, and how the show’s portrayal of the internet as both a tool for connection and a source of isolation mirrors the modern online experience. The conversation explores the dangers of confusing online life with real life, the ways digital spaces shape our beliefs and relationships, and why Lain remains one of anime’s most effective examinations of loneliness in the connected age. Part anime review, part meditation on the internet itself, this episode looks at why Serial Experiments Lain continues to resonate with new generations of viewers and what it can still teach us about the technology that increasingly shapes our lives.   New episodes of Bento Radio release every Thursday. Visit https://bento-box.ghost.io/ for more anime thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    52 min

  6. May 28

    The Anime Awards

    n this episode, Alex critiques the Crunchyroll Anime Awards, arguing they’ve become a popularity contest. He outlines concrete fixes to restore prestige, improve voting, and elevate winner publicity. Visit https://bento-box.ghost.io/ for more anime thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    35 min

  7. May 21

    Dungeon Crawler Carl

    In this episode, Alex explores the litRPG phenomenon Dungeon Crawler Carl, the cross-pollination between anime and Western media, and why depicting raw, volatile anger in characters matters. Visit https://bento-box.ghost.io/ for more anime thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    35 min

  8. May 14

    Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc

    In this episode of Bento Radio, Alex dives deep into Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc, exploring how Tatsuki Fujimoto uses explosive action, awkward romance, and emotional manipulation to tell a much darker story about loneliness, abuse, and growing up too fast. What begins as a discussion of the film’s plot quickly expands into a broader conversation about worldbuilding in anime, comparing Chainsaw Man’s intentionally “placeless” setting to the fully realized worlds of creators like Hiromu Arakawa. Alex breaks down Denji’s role as a teenager forced into adulthood long before he was emotionally ready, examining how characters like Makima and Reze weaponize affection, intimacy, and attention to control him. Along the way, the episode explores the film’s pacing, the differences between anime movies and episodic storytelling, the emotional function of Chainsaw Man’s supporting cast, and why Fujimoto’s work resonates so strongly with audiences despite rejecting many traditional shonen conventions. From discussions of poverty and emotional vulnerability to shark devils, bombastic fight scenes, and Denji accidentally becoming “horseman” on a land shark, this episode unpacks why Reze Arc may be one of the most emotionally revealing parts of Chainsaw Man yet. Visit https://bento-box.ghost.io/ for more anime thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    35 min
See All (85)

Trailer

About

After more than two decades of devouring every shonen, shojo, seinen, and josei anime he could find, this seasoned oldtaku is still watching—week to week, episode by episode—and he’s not stopping anytime soon. Join him every week for fresh takes on your favorite series, hidden gems you’ve never heard of, and the kind of anime reflections only years of obsession can bring. Follow the host here: Bluesky Instagram YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Alex Holt-Cohan
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    85
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Alex Holt-Cohan
  • Show Website
    Bento Radio