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. 5D AGO

    Full Moon o Sagashite Manga Discussion (with Laura Spicer)

    There are few authors more synonymous with "shojo" than Arina Tanemura. We've done Tanemura works before. But Full Moon is peak Tanemura. Which is not to say it's a masterwork.  For those who don't idolize Tanemura and are wondering what Full Moon is about, the series follows a 12-year-old girl named Mitsuki who wants to be a singer so she can reconnect with her childhood crush, whom she met when they both lived at an orphanage, but she can't become a singer because she has throat cancer that, if left untreated, will kill her. Some shinigami show up telling her she only has one year left to live, and she somehow convinces the shinigami to turn her into a 16-year-old so she can become the idol of her dreams before she dies. Are you keeping up? Tanemura fan Laura Spicer joins Shojo & Tell host Ashley once again to go through the whirlwind of a manga to, first, figure out what even all happened here, and second, to determine what the good emotional beats are. REFERENCES Full Moon is available digitally from Viz Media's Shojo Beat line The Full Moon anime is available on blu-ray Tanemura's other projects Phantom Thief Jeanne Idol Dreams idolish7 The Gentlemen's Alliance Sakura Hime Time Stranger Kyoko Music mentioned +44 Linkin Park Evanescence Within Temptation t.A.T.u. Maaya Sakamoto Yui Horie AKB48 Morning Musume Ayumi Hamasaki Other anime/manga series mentioned Fruits Basket Sailor Moon Cardcaptor Sakura Ouran High School Host Club Yona of the Dawn Hana-Kimi A Condition Called Love Not Your Idol Oshi no Ko The Vision of Escaflowne Outro: "Tokimeki no Doukasen" (Fushigi Yuugi ending theme) + Fruits Basket (2019) episode 3 dialogue CONTACT Laura on Bluesky, Instagram Shojo & Tell on Bluesky, Tumblr, Instagram, and Twitter Ashley on Bluesky

    2h 16m

  2. MAR 3

    Mixed Vegetables Manga Discussion (with Asher Sofman)

    Hanayu wants to be a sushi chef, but her father expects her to take over the family pastry shop. Hayato wants to be a pastry chef, but is expected to take over his family's sushi restaurant. Uh, you can see where this is going, right? Shojo & Tell host Ashley and her husband Asher discuss this romantic comedy series in which these 15 year old children place the weight of the world on their shoulders. Mixed Vegetables may be a mixed bag, but hey, maybe that's your cup of tea (to mix metaphors). REFERENCES Read Mixed Vegetables digitally on the Viz Media app Other manga/anime mentioned Maid-Sama Kimi ni Todoke Full Moon o Sagashite Yuu Watase Locations in Japan mentioned Kagoshima Okinawa Hokkaido How Japan’s Female Sushi Chefs Are Claiming a Seat at the Counter (Conde Nast Traveler 2022) Koseki Outro: "Tokimeki no Doukasen" (Fushigi Yuugi ending theme) + Fruits Basket (2019) episode 3 dialogue CONTACT US Shojo & Tell on Bluesky, Tumblr, Instagram, and Twitter Ashley on Bluesky

    1h 11m

  3. JAN 21

    Horimiya Manga Discussion, Part 2 (with Caitlin Moore) [Shonen Exception #6]

    Caitlin and Ashley are back to discuss the second half of Horimiya, aka, all the bits that don't matter. Like, it's a miracle this episode is over an hour long, because the two spend most of the time talking about *checks notes*: Sawada, Iura, and Watabe. And they're definitely the most interesting characters in this whole series, right? Especially Iura. Jokes aside, Caitlin and Ashley spend time going over the chapters they did like (and some they really didn't), plus there's a shipping corner with an 11th hour bombshell dropped. Just like the second season of the Horimiya anime, this episode isn't boring, but it might also not be necessary. Tune in to hear for yourself. REFERENCES Horimiya is published by Yen PressOther manga/anime mentionedMaid-Sama!Outro: "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 7m

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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
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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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