Taco Otaku: SoCal’s Anime Podcast

It's that time again when the TOP crew watch the newest anime and share their recommendations from the 2026 winter season. Also, Ray goes to court without any objections. Frank watches the hottest blockbusters of early 2026. Miles gets lost under the sea with his yellow machine.
 
Video Games and Anime We Talked About this Episode:
 
Jury Duty
Octopath Traveler 0
Project Hail Mary
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
Subnautica
Yuusha-kei ni Shosu: Choubatsu Yuusha 9004-tai Keimu Kiroku
Tamon-kun Ima Docchi!?
Seihantai na Kimi to Boku
 
Time Markers:
Teaser: 0:00
Intro: 0:53
Ray's Week: 2:44
Frank's Week: 8:19
Miles's Week: 13:07
Sentenced to Be a Hero: 22:14
Hero Spoilers: 36:24
Tamon's B-Side: 1:08:02
Tamon Spoilers: 1:22:40
You and I Are Polar Opposites: 1:37:08
Polar Spoilers: 1:55:34
Winter Anime 2026 Rankings: 2:14:10
Outro: 2:19:54
 
Podcast Website:
https://www.tacootaku.com/
 
Podcast Video Clips:
https://www.youtube.com/@TacoOtakuBites
 
Podcast Bluesky:
https://bsky.app/profile/tacootakupod.bsky.social
 
Podcast Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/taco_otaku_podcast/
 
Watch Ray's YouTube Channel here:
https://www.youtube.com/c/SourdoughShonen
 
Morning Phoenix (OP) composed and performed by Ivan C.
Heroes! (ED) composed and performed by Ivan C.
 
Check out Ivan's Music here:
https://www.youtube.com/@ivancervantes9858

Anime Andy and Sourdough Shonen get together for a special episode of Taco Otaku. Today, the lads explore the far reaches of space and deliver some packages as they travel the stars. Also, Andy explores a ghost town in search for his wife. Ray watches a movie with his horse daughters.
 
Video Games and Anime We Talked About this Episode:
 
Silent Hill 2 (2024)
Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat
Umamusume: Pretty Derby
Thunder Road
Gunbuster
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
 
Time Markers:
Teaser: 0:00
Intro: 0:53
Andy's Week: 4:25
Ray's Week: 29:07
Gunbuster: 48:17
Gunbuster Spoilers: 1:08:10
Death Stranding Two: 1:44:03
DS2 Spoilers: 2:11:12
Outro: 2:49:31
 
Podcast Website:
https://www.tacootaku.com/
 
Podcast Video Clips:
https://www.youtube.com/@TacoOtakuBites
 
Podcast Bluesky:
https://bsky.app/profile/tacootakupod.bsky.social
 
Podcast Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/taco_otaku_podcast/
 
Watch Ray's YouTube Channel here:
https://www.youtube.com/c/SourdoughShonen
 
Morning Phoenix (OP) composed and performed by Ivan C.
Heroes! (ED) composed and performed by Ivan C.
 
Check out Ivan's Music here:
https://www.youtube.com/@ivancervantes9858

Aliens, Time Travelers, and Epers return to the podcast as the boys breakdown one of the most influential anime series of all time. Also, Franks hordes his items just in case in needs them later on. Miles evolves as he plays in a world with no humans. Ray heads to New Vegas with no power armor.
 
Video Games and Anime We Talked About this Episode:
 
Octopath Traveler 0
Crashing Landing on You
Zenless Zone Zero
Pokemon Pokopia
Fallout TV Show Season 2
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya
 
Time Markers:
Teaser: 0:00
Intro: 0:58
Frank's Week: 3:03
Miles's Week: 8:41
Ray's Week: 18:50
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya: 24:26
Haruhi Spoilers: 47:08
Outro: 1:36:46
 
Podcast Website:
https://www.tacootaku.com/
 
Podcast Video Clips:
https://www.youtube.com/@TacoOtakuBites
 
Podcast Bluesky:
https://bsky.app/profile/tacootakupod.bsky.social
 
Podcast Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/taco_otaku_podcast/
 
Watch Ray's YouTube Channel here:
https://www.youtube.com/c/SourdoughShonen
 
Morning Phoenix (OP) composed and performed by Ivan C.
Heroes! (ED) composed and performed by Ivan C.
 
Check out Ivan's Music here:
https://www.youtube.com/@ivancervantes9858

To celebrate everyone's favorite purple lunch box 25th anniversary, the TOP crew decided to do a sweet 16 bracket of the their favorite NGC games. Also, Ray pays too much to relive his 1990s VR fantasies. Frank goes to Korea and becomes a defense lawyer. Miles skips all the cutscenes just to be closer to his anime horse girls.
 
Video Games and Anime We Talked About this Episode:
 
Shangri-La Fontier
Mario Clash
Virtual Boy Wario Land
Octopath Traveler 0
Extraordinary Attorney Woo
Crashing Landing on You
Umamusume: Pretty Derby
Zenless Zone Zero
 
Time Markers:
Teaser: 0:00
Intro: 0:50
Ray's Week: 3:39
Frank's Week: 17:56
Miles's Week: 22:23
GameCube Tournament: 28:15
Elite Eight: 1:40:58
Final Four: 1:51:16
Outro: 2:05:16
 
Podcast Website:
https://www.tacootaku.com/
 
Podcast Video Clips:
https://www.youtube.com/@TacoOtakuBites
 
Podcast Bluesky:
https://bsky.app/profile/tacootakupod.bsky.social
 
Podcast Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/taco_otaku_podcast/
 
Watch Ray's YouTube Channel here:
https://www.youtube.com/c/SourdoughShonen
 
Morning Phoenix (OP) composed and performed by Ivan C.
Heroes! (ED) composed and performed by Ivan C.
 
Check out Ivan's Music here:
https://www.youtube.com/@ivancervantes9858

Bring out your white tuxedos and shakers because it's time for more adventures with everyone's favorite family of spies. Also, Miles feels abandoned in the middle of the Pacific. Frank waits patiently for a second season. Ray jumps out of a plane during a snow storm.
 
Video Games and Anime We Talked About this Episode:
 
Octopath Traveler 0
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
Because This Is My First Life
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Spy x Family Code: White
Spy x Family Season 3
New Clips Channel for Taco Otaku
SpyxFamily Season Three
 
Time Markers:
Teaser: 0:00
Intro: 0:47
Frank's Week: 3:19
Miles's Week: 7:16
Ray's Week: 10:45
Spy x Family: 16:45
Season 3 Spoilers: 31:46
Outro: 1:13:51
 
Podcast Website:
https://www.tacootaku.com/
 
Podcast Video Clips:
https://www.youtube.com/@TacoOtakuBites
 
Podcast Bluesky:
https://bsky.app/profile/tacootakupod.bsky.social
 
Podcast Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/taco_otaku_podcast/
 
Watch Ray's YouTube Channel here:
https://www.youtube.com/c/SourdoughShonen
 
Morning Phoenix (OP) composed and performed by Ivan C.
Heroes! (ED) composed and performed by Ivan C.
 
Check out Ivan's Music here:
https://www.youtube.com/@ivancervantes9858

After 10 years, one of biggest battle series has come to an end. Now its up the the TOP crew to breakdown Deku's journey and see if he is worthy of being one of Shonen Jump's Big 3. Also, Miles heads off to space with a new android buddy. Frank ends up binge watching a new prequel series. Ray gets lost in Paris and misses the streets of Shibuya.
 
Video Games and Anime We Talked About this Episode:
 
Octopath Traveler 0
Metal Slug Tactics
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Pragmata
Shangri-La Fontier
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Boku no Hiro Akademia Season 8
 
Time Markers:
Teaser: 0:00
Intro: 0:48
Frank's Week: 2:36
Miles's Week: 10:10
Ray's Week: 16:57
My Hero Academia: 32:43
HMA Spoilers: 45:34
Outro: 1:33:39
 
Podcast Website:
https://www.tacootaku.com/
 
Podcast Bluesky:
https://bsky.app/profile/tacootakupod.bsky.social
 
Podcast Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/taco_otaku_podcast/
 
Watch Ray's YouTube Channel here:
https://www.youtube.com/c/SourdoughShonen
 
Morning Phoenix (OP) composed and performed by Ivan C.
Heroes! (ED) composed and performed by Ivan C.
 
Check out Ivan's Music here:
https://www.youtube.com/@ivancervantes9858

The podcast might be down a member down this anime season, but the super brothers pick up the slack and cover 9 new anime shows for 2026. Also, Miles gets caught in a time loop as he races his anime horse girls. Ray goes for the extra credit this winter series in hopes to take home the crown.
 
Video Games and Anime We Talked About this Episode:
 
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Umamusume: Pretty Derby
Mayonaka Heart Tune
Shiboyugi: Playing Death Games to Put Food on the Table
Kirei ni Shitemoraemasu ka
Toumei Otoko to Ningen Onna: Sonouchi Fuufu ni Naru Futari
Hikuidori: Ushuu Boro Tobi-gumi
Ikoku Nikki
Tamon-kun Ima Docchi!?
Yuusha-kei ni Shosu: Choubatsu Yuusha 9004-tai Keimu Kiroku
Yuusha no Kuzu
Seihantai na Kimi to Boku
Uruwashi no Yoi no Tsuki
 
Time Markers:
Teaser: 0:00
Intro: 0:43
Miles's Week: 3:37
Ray's Week: 10:21
Wash It All Away 28:25
The Invisible Man and His Soon-to-Be Wife 34:42
Oedo Fire Slayer: The Legend of Phoenix 44:09
Journal with Witch 51:06
Tamon's B-Side 58:46
Sentenced to Be a Hero 1:06:10
Scum of the Brave 1:15:11
You and I Are Polar Opposites 1:20:42
In the Clear Moonlit Dusk 1:29:53
Winter Anime Rankings: 1:36:07
Outro: 1:47:25
 
Podcast Website:
https://www.tacootaku.com/
 
Podcast Bluesky:
https://bsky.app/profile/tacootakupod.bsky.social
 
Podcast Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/taco_otaku_podcast/
 
Watch Ray's YouTube Channel here:
https://www.youtube.com/c/SourdoughShonen
 
Morning Phoenix (OP) composed and performed by Ivan C.
Heroes! (ED) composed and performed by Ivan C.
 
Check out Ivan's Music here:
https://www.youtube.com/@ivancervantes9858

After a whole year's worth of podcasting, the boys have to pick their top 5 anime of the year. Will it be a popular shonen title? Cute girls doing cute things? Stay to the very end to find out. Also, Miles unlocks his dual citizen between America and Japan. Frank believes he can be a hero for one last time. Ray becomes a level five engineer so he can repair his retro games.
 
Video Games and Anime We Talked About this Episode:
 
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
My Hero Academia Season 8
Dandadan Season 2
The Apothecary Diaries
Ray Learns to Solder
Pluribus
 
Time Markers:
Teaser: 0:00
Intro: 0:51
Miles's Week: 3:28
Frank's Week: 8:57
Ray's Week: 11:03
Best Anime of 2025: 22:00
Number Five: 24:08
Personal Award One: 34:35
Number Four: 41:50
Personal Award Two: 50:24
Number Three: 57:52
Personal Award Three: 1:09:43
Number Two: 1:16:46
Personal Award Four: 1:27:56
Number One: 1:36:20
Outro: 1:51:45
 
Podcast Website:
https://www.tacootaku.com/
 
Podcast Bluesky:
https://bsky.app/profile/tacootakupod.bsky.social
 
Podcast Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/taco_otaku_podcast/
 
Watch Ray's YouTube Channel here:
https://www.youtube.com/c/SourdoughShonen
 
Check out Ray Live here:
https://www.twitch.tv/sd_shonen
 
Morning Phoenix (OP) composed and performed by Ivan C.
Heroes! (ED) composed and performed by Ivan C.
 
Check out Ivan's Music here:
https://www.youtube.com/@ivancervantes9858

Happy New Year! It's that time again when the TOP crew have to make the tough calls to name their personal top 5 favorite games of 2025. Also, Ray discovers the secrets of Egghead. Andy vents his frustrations about motorcycles and green crystals. Frank explores the upside down in search of body soap. Miles heads to Hawaii to hang out with his favorite criminals.
 
Video Games and Anime We Talked About this Episode:
 
One Piece
The Paper
The Holdovers
Pluribus
The Chair Company
Andy's Switch 2 Story
Stranger Things Season 5
Umamusume: Pretty Derby
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
 
Time Markers:
Teaser: 0:00
Intro: 0:50
Ray's Week: 2:34
Andy's Week: 11:49
Frank's Week: 25:26
Miles's Week: 34:08
Best Games of 2025: 43:16
Number Five: 45:23
Personal Award One: 55:09
Number Four: 1:06:33
Personal Award Two: 1:22:03
Number Three: 1:32:24
Personal Award Three: 1:47:18
Number Two: 1:58:26
Personal Award Four: 2:13:27
Number One: 2:23:59
Outro: 2:39:37
 
Podcast Website:
https://www.tacootaku.com/
 
Podcast Bluesky:
https://bsky.app/profile/tacootakupod.bsky.social
 
Podcast Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/taco_otaku_podcast/
 
Watch Ray's YouTube Channel here:
https://www.youtube.com/c/SourdoughShonen
 
Check out Ray Live here:
https://www.twitch.tv/sd_shonen
 
Morning Phoenix (OP) composed and performed by Ivan C.
Heroes! (ED) composed and performed by Ivan C.
 
Check out Ivan's Music here:
https://www.youtube.com/@ivancervantes9858

There is one last anime season left in 2025 and the boys are determine to find out who choose wisely or poorly. As a bonus, the crew conclude their Metroid Prime 4 discussion from last time. Also, Ray enters another dimension while picking some flowers. Frank spends Christmas with his family as his Switch 2 recharges. Miles takes a trip to Hawaii to meet some old friends.
 
Things We Talked About this Episode:
 
The Apothecary Diaries
Peacemaker Season 2
Dispatch
City the Animation
Frank's Christmas 2025
Frank's Trip to Japan
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
Towa no Yuugure
Egao no Taenai Shokuba desu
Sanda
 
Time Markers:
Teaser: 0:00
Intro: 0:54
Ray's Week: 3:24
Frank's Week: 11:35
Miles's Week: 18:32
Metroid Prime 4 Spoilers: 27:16
Dusk Beyond the End of the World: 44:59
Dusk Beyond Spoilers: 1:03:53
A Mangaka's Weirdly Wonderful Workplace: 1:22:28
Mangaka's Spoilers: 1:34:20
Sanda: 1:41:37
Sanda Spoilers: 1:57:15
Outro: 2:17:10
 
Podcast Website:
https://www.tacootaku.com/
 
Podcast Bluesky:
https://bsky.app/profile/tacootakupod.bsky.social
 
Podcast Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/taco_otaku_podcast/
 
Watch Ray's YouTube Channel here:
https://www.youtube.com/c/SourdoughShonen
 
Check out Ray Live here:
https://www.twitch.tv/sd_shonen
 
Morning Phoenix (OP) composed and performed by Ivan C.
Heroes! (ED) composed and performed by Ivan C.
 
Check out Ivan's Music here:
https://www.youtube.com/@ivancervantes9858