Shojo & Tell: A Manga Podcast

Ashley McDonnell
  • 4.7 (52)
  • ANIMATION & MANGA
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

A manga discussion podcast focusing on shojo (and josei!) series that make your heart go doki-doki. Covering classics like CLAMP’s “Cardcaptor Sakura” and Yuu Watase’s “Fushigi Yuugi” to newer favorites like Kazune Kawahara’s “My Love Story!!” and Hiro Fujiwara’s “Maid Sama!” Shojo & Tell host Ashley McDonnell discusses one series per episode with a rotating shojo superfan. We're recreating all those impassioned rants you'd have with your friends about your favorite series, just in podcast form. Shojo [or shoujo] manga: Japanese comics made for young women. A breath of fresh air after reading over 100 volumes of “One Piece.” The underappreciated sibling of all those same-y never-ending shonen titles.

  1. 10/10/2025

    Horimiya Manga Discussion, Part 1 (with Caitlin Moore) [Shonen Exception #6]

    Finally, we're here to talk about the shonen elephant in the shojo room: Horimiya. Look at almost any list of "best shojo anime," and you're bound to see Horimiya near the top of it. But, just so we're all clear: Horimiya isn't a shojo series. It is, however, a very good shonen romance series. Shojo & Tell host Ashley and Anime News Network and Anime Feminist writer Caitlin dig into why people often mistake Horimiya for a shojo series and how the series lovingly subverts a lot of stereotypical romance tropes through the main couple, Hori and Miyamura, and many of the B couples, especially Remi and Sengoku. There's a lot of gushing over how relatable Hori is (seriously, so relatable). But most importantly (regrettably?): Ashley and Caitlin delve into what makes the sex scene so touching and how nice it is to see an authentic teenage exploration of kink. REFERENCES Buy Horimiya from MangaMart, a family-run manga store offering some of the most competitive prices around (affiliate link)Horimiya is published by Yen PressOther manga/anime mentionedFushigi Yuugi: Genbu KaidenMillennium SnowAttack on TitanSword Art OnlineBlack BirdHot GimmickMonthly Girls' Nozaki-kunFushigi YuugiBoys Over FlowersKodochaMarmalade BoyFull MoonOutro: "Tokimeki no Doukasen" (Fushigi Yuugi ending theme) + Fruits Basket (2019) episode 3 dialogueCONTACT US Shojo & Tell on Bluesky, Tumblr, Instagram, and TwitterCaitlin's writings at Anime Feminist and Anime News NetworkCaitlin on BlueskyAshley on Bluesky

    1h 23m

  2. 07/16/2025

    Mermaid Scales and the Town of Sand Manga Discussion (with Asher Sofman)

    Get ready to go to the beach in this emotionally affecting, short josei series. Mermaid Scales and the Town of Sand by Yoko Komori follows Tokiko, a sixth grader whose parents are recently separated; as a result, she moves with her dad from Tokyo to the small beach town where her mother grew up where legends of merfolk are still honored. As she grapples with her new normal, Tokiko is also looking for a particular merman for saving her from drowning. Shojo & Tell host Ashley and her husband Asher dive deep into Tokiko's family dynamics, whether or not one citizen of the town is actually real, and the consequences of pathological lying.  REFERENCES Buy Mermaid Scales and the Town of Sand from MangaMart, a family-run manga store offering some of the most competitive prices around (affiliate link)Mermaid Scales and the Town of Sand is published by Viz Media's Signature lineOther manga/anime mentionedHorimiyaOutro: "Tokimeki no Doukasen" (Fushigi Yuugi ending theme) + Fruits Basket (2019) episode 3 dialogueCONTACT US Shojo & Tell on Bluesky, Tumblr, Instagram, and TwitterAshley on Bluesky

    52 min

  3. 06/22/2025

    Snow White with the Red Hair Manga Discussion Part 2 (with Asher Sofman)

    Ashley and Asher are back to discuss volumes 11 through 20 of Snow White with the Red Hair, and they have a lot more to say this time (most of it is still some variation of "they're so cute!"). The Ashes talk about new characters (Hisame, the Bergat brothers, Lilias folks), the overarching plots (Izana's coronation, Lilias part 2, Sereg assassination plots, Kiki's marriage machinations), the official character poll (lol Mitsuhide), and of course, all the ships (yes, Zen and Shirayuki are cute, but why not Kiki and Shirayuki?). Let the fangirling and fanboying commence. REFERENCES Buy Snow White with the Red Hair from MangaMart, a family-run manga store offering some of the most competitive prices around (affiliate link)Snow White with the Red Hair is published by Viz Media's Shojo Beat lineOther manga/anime mentionedBleachFushigi YugiFushigi Yugi: Genbu KaidenJesse and James from PokemonWHYY: "How experiments with gila monster venom led to blockbuster weight loss drugs like Ozempic"Outro: "Tokimeki no Doukasen" (Fushigi Yuugi ending theme) + Fruits Basket (2019) episode three dialogueCONTACT US Shojo & Tell on Bluesky, Tumblr, Instagram, and TwitterAshley on Bluesky

    2h 13m

  4. 03/23/2025

    Josee, the Tiger and the Fish Discussion (crossover with Shoujo Sundae)

    Welcome to the special collaboration episode between Ashley of Shojo & Tell and Chika and Giana of Shoujo Sundae (hereby dubbed the "shojo trio"). In this episode, we talk everything Josee, the Tiger and the Fish: the animated movie version (amazing!), the manga (basically the same as the movie but taking things at your own pace can be helpful!), the live-action movie (oh no!), and the original short story (very Japanese!). Josee, the Tiger and the Fish follows Josee, a sheltered, curmudgeonly wheelchair user, and Tsuneo, a try-hard college boy who loves diving, as they both come out of their shells to meet each other and the sometimes scary, sometimes harsh, occasionally beautiful outside world. Let's dive! REFERENCES You can watch the animated movie on CrunchyrollYou can read the manga version, published by Yen PressYou can read the original short story, also published by Yen PressYou can watch the live-action version on RetroCrushSTAY IN TOUCH Find Shoujo Sundae on: Bluesky, Instagram, XFind Chika on: Bluesky, InstagramFind Giana on: Bluesky, Instagram, Personal WebsiteFind Shojo & Tell on: Bluesky, Instagram, TumblrFind Ashley on: Bluesky

    2h 15m

  5. 03/11/2025

    Snow White with the Red Hair Manga Discussion Part 1 (with Asher Sofman)

    There are few contemporary shojo manga that are more popular and beloved that Sorata Akizuki's wholesome fairy-tale-inspired story Snow White with the Red Hair. The protagonist, Shirayuki, has apple-red hair that attracts attention from unsavory characters and noble princes alike, and the story follows her as she becomes a court herbalist and a worthy bride-to-be for Prince Zen Wisteria. Shojo & Tell host Ashley and her husband Asher delve into why this story is so special, while walking through the highs (and the lows) of the first 10 volumes. Asher expresses his undying love for Obi, while Ashley pledges allegiance to Prince Izana. But in the end, it's all about the best ZenYuki moments. REFERENCES Buy Snow White with the Red Hair from MangaMart, a family-run manga store offering some of the most competitive prices around (affiliate link)Snow White with the Red Hair is published by Viz Media's Shojo Beat lineOther manga/anime mentionedWaiting for SpringMaid-Sama!Shortcake CakeWHYY: "How experiments with gila monster venom led to blockbuster weight loss drugs like Ozempic"Outro: "Tokimeki no Doukasen" (Fushigi Yuugi ending theme) + Fruits Basket (2019) episode three dialogueCONTACT US Shojo & Tell on Bluesky, Tumblr, Instagram, and TwitterAshley on Bluesky

    1h 33m

  6. 01/11/2025

    My Love Mix-Up! Manga Discussion (with novelist Megan Frampton)

    This episode discusses all 9 volumes of the My Love Mix-Up!  manga by Wataru Hinekure and Aruko, and contains comparisons between it and the Japanese live-action adaptation. My Love Mix-Up! (not to be mixed up with Aruko's other work, My Love Story!! .... deep sigh) tells the story of Sota Aoki, a seemingly happy-go-lucky boy who has a crush on a female classmate, Mio Hashimoto, but winds up in a relationship with male classmate Kōsuke Ida. It sure is all mixed up, and it's a pure delight. Romance novelist Megan Frampton joins Shojo & Tell host Ashley to discuss what makes the series so funny, how that does or does not translate to the Japanese live-action screen adaptation, and the surprising amount of character growth the main cast goes through. Jump into the fluff and feels with us! REFERENCES My Love Mix-Up! is available from Viz Media's Shojo Beat line Watch the My Love Mix-Up! Japanese live-action version on VikiThere is also a My Love Mix-Up! Thai live-action versionOther manga/anime mentionedMARSMy Love Story!!Maid-SamaKimi ni TodokeKimi ni Todoke live actionKimi ni Todoke animeLive-action Bleach movieKaguya-Sama: Love is WarOutro: "Tokimeki no Doukasen" (Fushigi Yuugi ending theme) + Fruits Basket (2019) episode three dialogueCONTACT US Find Megan on BlueSky and InstagramCheck out Megan's books https://www.meganframpton.com/ Subscribe to Megan's SubstackShojo & Tell on Bluesky, Tumblr, Instagram, and TwitterAshley on Bluesky

    1h 21m

  7. 12/31/2024

    Mars Manga Discussion (Pt. 2) [with Lucy of CLAMPcast in Wonderland]

    This episode discusses MARS volumes 9-15 and the prequel story, "Horse with No Name" How many suicide attempts can happen close to Kira and Rei? How many car crashes and motorcycle accidents? Shojo & Tell host Ashley and CLAMPcast in Wonderland co-host Lucy are back to discuss the second half of the melodrama MARS by Fuyumi Soryo, and their biggest question is about whether the series accurately portrays the way trauma stacks (both Ashley and Lucy lean toward no). Ashley and Lucy share their thoughts about Kira seeming to give up her dreams to be with Rei, and so Rei can pursue his, what they wish "Horse with No Name" had been about instead, how they're glad Tatsuya made it out unscathed, and more. REFERENCES MARS is available from Kodansha Comics digitallyListen to Ashley's MARS DJ set!Read Robin's book! Other manga/anime mentionedRG VedaKimi ni TodokeMarmalade BoyMy Love Mix-Up!Snow White with the Red HairSongs mentioned:"A Horse with No Name" by AmericaMisc. mentions:Grey's AnatomyThe Last UnicornOutro: "Tokimeki no Doukasen" (Fushigi Yuugi ending theme) + Fruits Basket (2019) episode three dialogueCONTACT US Find CLAMPcast on BlueSky, Twitter, Instagram, and FacebookFind Lucy on Threads, Instagram, and BlueSkyShojo & Tell on Bluesky, Tumblr, Instagram, and TwitterAshley on Bluesky

    1h 38m

  8. 11/15/2024

    Mars Manga Discussion (Pt. 1) [with Lucy of CLAMPcast in Wonderland]

    This episode discusses volumes 1-8 of MARS by Fuyumi Soryo. We continue our melodrama mood with the late 1990s/early 2000s series, MARS. Kira Aso is a quiet girl who loves to paint. Rei is a bad boy who loves to race motorcycles. Naturally they fall in love, and all the dark secrets come out about them both. Shojo & Tell host Ashley and Clampcast in Wonderland co-host Lucy discuss what makes this series so gripping despite it being over the top, how iconic the art is, the portrayal of America, how cute Rei and Kira are, and much more. REFERENCES MARS is available from Kodansha Comics digitallyColleen's MARS retrospective videoOther manga/anime mentionedHot GimmickFruits BasketHana-KimiThe Vision of Escaflowne (Dilandau)LoveComMarmalade BoyCloverCardcaptor SakuraSongs mentioned:"Safe with Me" by Gryffin"Ride or Die" by The KnocksOutro: "Tokimeki no Doukasen" (Fushigi Yuugi ending theme) + Fruits Basket (2019) episode three dialogueCONTACT US Find CLAMPcast on BlueSky, Twitter, Instagram, and FacebookShojo & Tell on Bluesky, Tumblr, Instagram, and TwitterAshley on Bluesky

    1h 39m
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4.7
out of 5
52 Ratings

About

A manga discussion podcast focusing on shojo (and josei!) series that make your heart go doki-doki. Covering classics like CLAMP’s “Cardcaptor Sakura” and Yuu Watase’s “Fushigi Yuugi” to newer favorites like Kazune Kawahara’s “My Love Story!!” and Hiro Fujiwara’s “Maid Sama!” Shojo & Tell host Ashley McDonnell discusses one series per episode with a rotating shojo superfan. We're recreating all those impassioned rants you'd have with your friends about your favorite series, just in podcast form. Shojo [or shoujo] manga: Japanese comics made for young women. A breath of fresh air after reading over 100 volumes of “One Piece.” The underappreciated sibling of all those same-y never-ending shonen titles.

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