Xan tackles Übel Blatt by Etorouji Shiono
—a brutal seinen revenge saga often compared to Berserk. Does this Yen Press manga carve its own path, or does it live in the shadow of giants? We dissect its grim worldbuilding, relentless action, and moral ambiguity.
In This Episode:
Why Übel Blatt’s antihero Koinzell stands out
Latest manga releases worth your attention
Animazement 2025 Panel Announcements (May event)
*No episode 5/21* (Con prep mode activated!)
Support the Show:
Keep us reviewing: Gofundme (Thanks to our donors!)
Engage With Us:
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Random Question:
"What’s your favorite dark fantasy manga—and does it need a moral compass?"
#Spiraken #MangaReview #ÜbelBlatt #EtoroujiShiono #Seinen #DarkFantasy #BerserkComparisons #RevengeManga #YenPress
Music Credits:
"Trendsetter" by Mood Maze (via Uppbeat)
License code: YEPNB5COHX56JVES
WHERE TO FIND US
Bluesky: @spiraken.bsky.social
Instagram: instagram.com/spiraken
Email: Spiraken@gmail.com | Xan: xan@spiraken.com
Patreon: patreon.com/spiraken
Discord: tinyurl.com/spiradiscord
X: x.com/spiraken
YouTube: youtube.com/@spiraken
Twitch: twitch.com/spiraken
Amazon Store: amazon.com/shops/spiraken
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22:49
Spiraken Manga Review Ep 590: Cooking With Wild Game
Xan taste-tests Cooking With Wild Game by EDA,
a J-Novel Club isekai manga adaptation that blends fantasy survival with culinary adventure. Can this webnovel-turned-manga stand out in a crowded genre, or does it reheat tired tropes? We break down its flavors—both fresh and stale.
Discussion Includes:
How it compares to popular isekai/cooking manga
Panel announcements for Animazement 2025 (May event)
Latest manga releases worth your shelf space
----more----
Support the Show:
Fuel our reviews: Gofundme (Thanks, donors!)
Engage With Us:
Subscribe: YouTube | Website
Follow @spiraken on X, Bluesky, Instagram
Join our Discord
Support on Patreon
Rate us: Apple Podcasts
Random Question:
"What’s your favorite ‘unusual premise’ manga (e.g., cooking, farming, etc.)?"
#Spiraken #MangaReview #CookingWithWildGame #EDA #Isekai #CookingManga #JNovelClub #FantasySurvival #WebNovelAdaptation
Music Credits:
"Trendsetter" by Mood Maze (via Uppbeat)
License code: YEPNB5COHX56JVES
WHERE TO FIND US
Bluesky: @spiraken.bsky.social
Instagram: instagram.com/spiraken
Email: Spiraken@gmail.com | Xan: xan@spiraken.com
Patreon: patreon.com/spiraken
Discord: tinyurl.com/spiradiscord
X: x.com/spiraken
YouTube: youtube.com/@spiraken
Twitch: twitch.com/spiraken
Amazon Store: amazon.com/shops/spiraken
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22:00
Spiraken Manga Review Ep 589: Kingyo Used Books
In this episode, Xan explores Kingyo Used Books by Seimu Yoshizaki
—a heartwarming iyashikei anthology where a Tokyo used bookstore becomes a haven for manga lovers. Discover how this Viz Media Signature title celebrates manga’s power to heal, connect, and inspire through its vignettes of everyday life.
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Discussion Highlights:
Why this series stands out in the healing manga genre
How Yoshizaki blends nostalgia with quiet humor
Latest manga releases & industry updates
Support the Show:
Keep us creating: Gofundme (Thank you, donors!)
Engage With Us:
Subscribe: YouTube | Website
Follow @spiraken on X/Twitter, Bluesky, Instagram
Join our Discord
Support on Patreon
Rate us: Apple Podcasts
Random Question:
"What manga changed your life—or comforted you when you needed it most?"
#Spiraken #MangaReview #KingyoUsedBooks #SeimuYoshizaki #Iyashikei #SliceOfLife #VizMediaSignature #HealingManga #BookstoreStories
Music Credits:
"Trendsetter" by Mood Maze (via Uppbeat)
License code: YEPNB5COHX56JVES
WHERE TO FIND US
Bluesky: @spiraken.bsky.social
Instagram: instagram.com/spiraken
Email: Spiraken@gmail.com | Xan: xan@spiraken.com
Patreon: patreon.com/spiraken
Discord: tinyurl.com/spiradiscord
X: x.com/spiraken
YouTube: youtube.com/@spiraken
Twitch: twitch.com/spiraken
Amazon Store: amazon.com/shops/spiraken
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21:31
Spiraken Manga Review Ep 588: The Climber
In this episode, Xan dissects The Climber—a profound sports manga adaptation of Jiro Nitta’s novel, with story by Toshio Nabeda and Hiroshi Takano, and striking art by Shin’ichi Sakamoto. This Viz Media Signature title explores the psychological extremes of solo mountain climbing, blending breathtaking visuals with existential tension.
Discussion Highlights:
Why this manga transcends typical sports narratives
How Sakamoto’s art amplifies the story’s isolation themes
Animazement 2025 Panel Announcements (May event details)
Support the Show:
Help us continue creating content: Gofundme (Thank you, donors!)
Engage With Us:
Subscribe: YouTube | Website
Follow @spiraken on Twitter/X, Bluesky, Instagram
Join our Discord
Support on Patreon
Rate us: Apple Podcasts
Random Question:
"What’s your personal ‘mountain’—an obstacle or goal that consumes you?"
#Spiraken #MangaReview #TheClimber #Seinen #SportsManga #ShinichiSakamoto #JiroNitta #VizMediaSignature #PsychologicalManga #Isolation #Podcast
Music Credits:
"Trendsetter" by Mood Maze (via Uppbeat)
License code: YEPNB5COHX56JVES
WHERE TO FIND US:
Bluesky: @spiraken.bsky.social
Instagram: instagram.com/spiraken
Email: Spiraken@gmail.com | Xan: xan@spiraken.com
Patreon: patreon.com/spiraken
Discord: tinyurl.com/spiradiscord
X: x.com/spiraken
YouTube: youtube.com/@spiraken
Twitch: twitch.com/spiraken
Amazon Store: amazon.com/shops/spiraken
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25:39
Spiraken Manga Review Ep 587: Real
In this powerful episode, Xan examines Real
- Takehiko Inoue's (Vagabond) brutally honest seinen manga about wheelchair basketball and overcoming physical/emotional trauma. How does this Viz Media-published series tackle disability with more nuance than typical sports narratives? We break down its unflinching realism and why it stands apart in Inoue's legendary career.
Support the channel: Keep Spiraken running via Gofundme (thanks to our donors!)
Engage with us:
Subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@spiraken
Follow @spiraken on Twitter/X, Bluesky, Instagram Join our Discord
Support on Patreon Rate us on Apple Podcasts
Question of the Day: "Have you ever watched wheelchair basketball?" Share your experiences below!
#Spiraken #MangaReview #RealManga #TakehikoInoue #Seinen #SportsManga #DisabilityRepresentation #WheelchairBasketball #VizMedia #WheelOfManga
Music Credits: "Trendsetter" by Mood Maze (via Uppbeat) License code: YEPNB5COHX56JVES
WHERE TO FIND US:
Bluesky: bsky.app/profile/spiraken.bsky.social
Instagram: instagram.com/spiraken
Email: Spiraken@gmail.com | Xan: xan@spiraken.com
Patreon: patreon.com/spiraken
Discord: tinyurl.com/spiradiscord
X: x.com/spiraken
YouTube: youtube.com/@spiraken
Twitch: twitch.com/spiraken
Amazon Store: amazon.com/shops/spiraken
580 episodes of manga mayhem, powered by our infamous Wheel of Manga! Will it land on Restaurant To Another World’s cozy charm or Tokyo Ghoul’s despair? No one knows—not even us. Beyond the Wheel, we’re your go-to for manga hot takes, convention adventures, movie breakdowns, Random Reviews and our passionate Monthly Book Club. From Lupin III’s heists to Vagabond’s soul-searching, if it’s kinetically enhanced, we’ve spun it. Tune in weekly for glorious uncertainty!
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