Taco Otaku: SoCal’s Anime Podcast

After a 9 month hiatus, a wild Andy appears on the podcast to talk about some anime classics that are absolute cinema. Also, Miles gets his full with Kirby on the Switch 2 and Ray admits he was wrong about about an anime review after 8 years.
 
Things We Talked About this Episode:
 
Cyberpunk 2077
Death Standing
The Wire
Kirby and the Forgotten Land
The House of Tesla
Lumines Arise
Umamusume: Pretty Derby
Nanbaka
Ray's 10 Year Anniversary
Ghost in the Shell (1995)
Paprika (2006)
 
Time Markers:
Teaser: 0:00
Intro: 0:40
Andy's Week: 4:04
Miles's Week: 32:30
Ray's Week: 55:28
Ghost in the Shell: 1:05:29
Spoilers: 1:19:26
Paprika: 1:33:32
Spoilers: 1:48:00
Outro: 2:10:52
 
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

The smash hit anime romance from 2022 returns this summer 2025, but the TOP must first catch up on the events of season one. Will this cosplay affair be worth the wait? Also, Ray attempts to be a good YouTuber and Streamer. Miles literally can't buy a win down at the horse track. Frank goes ape over the newest released from Nintendo.
 
Things We Talked About this Episode:
 
Umamusume: Pretty Derby
Ray's 10 year anniversary
Mr. Robot
Donkey Kong Bananza
Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent
Uma Musume: Pretty Derby (Anime)
Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru
 
Time Markers:
Teaser: 0:00
Intro: 0:52
Ray's Week: 3:02
Frank's Week: 12:52
Miles's Week: 22:50
My Dress-Up Darling: 34:49
Spoilers: 53:42
Outro: 1:48:38
 
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

The boys beat the heat and go to the theaters to watch the biggest super hero blockbusters of 2025. It's DC versus Marvel all over again. Also, Miles heads down to the race track to put some money on the anime ponies. Frank shares cute tales of his family. Ray engages with another Sci-fi series while doing the DK rap.
 
Things We Talked About this Episode:
Zenless Zone Zero
Umamusume: Pretty Derby
Dr. Stone Season 4
DAN DA DAN Season 2
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
Donkey Kong Bananza
Superman (2025)
Fantastic Four: First Steps
 
Time Markers:
Teaser: 0:00
Intro: 0:48
Miles's Week: 4:04
Frank's Week: 10:54
Ray's Week: 18:27
Superman: 36:46
Spoilers: 51:29
Fantastic Four: 1:17:27
Spoilers: 1:33:19
Outro: 2:06:30
 
Podcast Website:
https://www.tacootaku.com/
 
Podcast Bluesky:
https://bsky.app/profile/tacootakupod.bsky.social
 
Podcast Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/taco_otaku_podcast/
 
Check out Ray Live here:
https://www.twitch.tv/sd_shonen
 
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 bikinis and beach balls! Today the Taco Otaku crew dive into the newest anime series from Summer 2025. Which anime shows will float to the top and which will get buried in the sand? Also, Miles unpacks a watermelon for summer festivals. Frank imagines winning 5 million dollars. Ray finally falls down the gacha rabbit hole.
 
Things We Talked About this Episode:
 
Zenless Zone Zero
My Hero Academia Season 6
Spy x Family Code: White
The Apothecary Diaries Season 2
Ironheart
New Podcast Artwork
Umamusume: Pretty Derby
Ruri no Houseki
Gachiakuta
Betrothed to My Sister's Ex
The Water Magician
See You Tomorrow at the Food Court
Detectives These Days Are Crazy!
Secrets of the Silent Witch
Clevatess: Majuu no Ou to Akago to Shikabane no Yuusha
Hikaru ga Shinda Natsu
 
Time Markers:
Teaser: 0:00
Intro: 0:49
Miles's Week: 3:21
Frank's Week: 6:16
Ray's Week: 15:04
Ruri Rocks: 28:33
Gachiakuta: 33:37
Sister's Ex: 40:45
Food Court: 48:28
Water Magician: 54:58
Detectives: 1:02:13
Silent Witch: 1:09:59
Clevatess: 1:17:06
The Summer Hikaru Died: 1:24:42
Summer 2025 Rankings: 1:32:35
Outro: 1:47:47
 
Podcast Website:
https://www.tacootaku.com/
 
Podcast Bluesky:
https://bsky.app/profile/tacootakupod.bsky.social
 
Podcast Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/taco_otaku_podcast/
 
Check out Ray Live here:
https://www.twitch.tv/sd_shonen
 
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 TOP crew went the extra mile to analysis 2 more anime series from spring 2025. Will the prequel to a modern battle shonen or the spiritual success to a 90s classic take home the gold? Also, Frank unlocks his quirk by switching to easy mode. Ray drives his car to victory during splatfest. Miles wins the opportunity to spend more money on his gacha games.
 
Things We Talked About this Episode:
Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster
My Hero Academia Season 6
Splatoon 3
Barry Season 3
Re:Zero Season 3
Zenless Zone Zero
Vigilante: Boku no Hero Academia Illegals
Lazarus
 
Time Markers:
Teaser: 0:00
Intro: 0:49
Frank's Week: 1:28
Ray's Week: 8:06
Miles's Week: 18:21
Vigilantes: 22:54
Spoilers: 35:18
Lazarus: 56:45
Spoilers: 1:13:05
Outro: 1:46:06
 
Podcast Website:
https://www.tacootaku.com/
 
Podcast Bluesky:
https://bsky.app/profile/tacootakupod.bsky.social
 
Podcast Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/taco_otaku_podcast/
 
Check out Ray Live here:
https://www.twitch.tv/sd_shonen
 
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

Before the lads go off to summer school, they must first determine the best anime of Spring 2025. Also, Frank attempts to master the Dempsey Roll. Miles swaps one addiction for another. Ray reverts to being a squid and inks up his territory.
 
Things We Talked About this Episode:
Maple Story
Hajime no Ippo
Zenless Zone Zero
Splatoon 3
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning
Predator: Killer of Killers
From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman
To Be Hero X
Witch Watch
Kowloon Generic Romance
 
Time Markers:
Teaser: 0:00
Intro: 0:51
Frank's Week: 3:59
Miles's Week: 6:14
Ray's Week: 8:37
Bumpkin: 14:22
Spoilers: 27:09
Hero X: 36:32
Spoilers: 52:00
Witch Watch: 58:45
Spoilers: 1:05:20
Kowloon: 1:22:30
Spoilers: 1:33:22
Anime Spring 2025 Rankings: 1:58:45
Outro: 2:08:36
 
Podcast Website:
https://www.tacootaku.com/
 
Podcast Bluesky:
https://bsky.app/profile/tacootakupod.bsky.social
 
Podcast Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/taco_otaku_podcast/
 
Check out Ray Live here:
https://www.twitch.tv/sd_shonen
 
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 hosts with the most are back after taking a short summer break. In this episode of Taco Otaku, the boys play with Nintendo's latest hybrid console to see if it worth the high price tag. Also, Miles prepares for his trip to Hawaii. Frank falls off the the wagon again. Ray gets flashbacks from previous console wars.
 
Things We Talked About this Episode:
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name
Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Honkai: Star Rail
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
Karate Kid: Legends
Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition
Advance Wars: Dual Strike
Andor Season 2
Mobland
Switch 2 Launch Party
GameChat
Mario Kart World
Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Zelda: Link's Awakening
Splatoon 3 Upgrade
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Switch 2 Edition
 
Time Markers:
Teaser: 0:00
Intro: 0:50
Miles's Week: 3:00
Frank's Week: 4:49
Ray's Week: 15:39
Switch 2 Expectations: 23:02
S2 Pleasant Surprises: 26:12
S2 Disappointments: 32:57
Mario Kart World: 50:17
NSO GameCube: 1:21:51
Backwards Compatibly: 1:32:22
Breath of the Wild: 1:37:09
Price and Value: 1:40:30
Outro: 1:55:06
 
Podcast Website:
https://www.tacootaku.com/
 
Podcast Bluesky:
https://bsky.app/profile/tacootakupod.bsky.social
 
Podcast Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/taco_otaku_podcast/
 
Check out Ray Live here:
https://www.twitch.tv/sd_shonen
 
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

Why choose one genre of anime when you can have a two? Join Miles, Ray, and Frank as they travel to another world to save the day using their power of bonds. Also, Ray suffers from amnesia. Frank coaches his family. Miles pull himself back into the world of Yakuza.
 
Video Games and Anime We Talked About this Episode:
Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
Prey
Honkai: Star Rail
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name
Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition
Genshin Impact
Sentai Red Isekai de Boukensha ni Naru
 
Time Markers:
Teaser: 0:00
Intro: 0:48
Ray's Week: 3:11
Miles's Week: 13:00
Frank's Week: 22:41
Red Ranger: 31:23
Anime Spoilers: 46:02
Outro: 1:05:46
 
Podcast Website:
https://www.tacootaku.com/
 
Podcast Bluesky:
https://bsky.app/profile/tacootakupod.bsky.social
 
Podcast Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/taco_otaku_podcast/
 
Check out Ray Live here:
https://www.twitch.tv/sd_shonen
 
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 boys review their list of shows to showcase their anime recommendations for newest season anime. Also, Ray shares his online war stories about getting his hands on a Switch 2. Frank reacts to the newest Nintendo Direct. Miles gets lost in a supernatural mansion and enters the world of Xbox Game Pass.
 
Video Games and Anime We Talked About this Episode:
 
Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door
Devil May Cry (Netflix Series)
Retail Pre-orders for Switch 2
Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edtion
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Lost Judgment
Blue Prince
From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman
Teogonia
A Ninja and an Sassanian Under One Roof
Can a Boy-Girl Friendship Survive?
To Be Hero X
Witch Watch
Kowloon Generic Romance
Moonrise
Catch Me at the Ballpark!
 
Time Markers:
Teaser: 0:00
Intro: 0:49
Ray's Week: 4:45
Frank's Week: 19:33
Miles's Week: 28:56
Bumpkin: 42:12
Teogonia: 51:01
Ninja Assassin: 57:30
Not Fuuka: 1:05:30
Hero X: 1:14:15
Witch Watch: 1:22:26
Kowloon: 1:30:27
FMA in Space: 1:39:16
That's a Baseball: 1:47:00
Spring 2025 Anime Rankings: 1:53:20
Outro: 2:06:08
 
Podcast Website:
https://www.tacootaku.com/
 
Podcast Bluesky:
https://bsky.app/profile/tacootakupod.bsky.social
 
Podcast Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/taco_otaku_podcast/
 
Check out Ray Live here:
https://www.twitch.tv/sd_shonen
 
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

Brothers Miles and Ray get together to talk about their thoughts about the newly announced Switch 2 from the latest Nintendo Direct. Can Mario pull off another console miracle? Also, Ray fights his way to the top with his Yoshi. And Miles gets lost doing side quests as he waits to close the case.
 
Video Games and Anime We Talked About this Episode:
I've Been Killing Slimes for 300 years and Maxed Out My Level
Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door
Lost Judgment
Daredevil Season 3
Nitnendo Direct 4.2.25
Mario Kart World
Donkey Kong Bananza
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
Kirby and the Forgotten Land
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
 
Time Markers:
Teaser: 0:00
Intro: 0:49
Ray's Week: 1:28
Miles's Week: 8:43
Switch 2 Nintendo Direct: 17:29
Backwards Compatibility: 22:21
Switch 2 Games: 32:04
Console Price: 39:33
Pre-Orders: 51:32
Outro: 1:04:05
 
Podcast Website:
https://www.tacootaku.com/
 
Podcast Bluesky:
https://bsky.app/profile/tacootakupod.bsky.social
 
Podcast Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/taco_otaku_podcast/
 
Check out Ray Live here:
https://www.twitch.tv/sd_shonen
 
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