Taco Otaku: SoCal’s Anime Podcast

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

Samus returns after 8 years of baking in the Nintendo Switch oven. Will the famous bounty hunter unlock a new ability to our hearts or will she remain silent until another baby comes along? Also, Frank wants more explosions in his survival horror. Miles tunes into the Game Awards and wonder why. Ray answers the superhero call and chooses Lucina yet again.
 
Things We Talked About this Episode:
 
CITY The Animation
Resident Evil Requiem
One Piece
Control Resonant
Gang of Dragon
Umamusume: Pretty Derby
The Apothecary Diaries
Dispatch
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
 
Time Markers:
Teaser: 0:00
Intro: 0:48
Frank's Week: 5:01
Miles's Week: 13:45
Ray's Week: 17:27
Metroid Prime 4 Beyond: 31:39
Spoilers: 1:00:20
Outro: 1:47:03
 
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 brothers Ray and Miles discover the best kept secret of 2025 as they review and discuss the anime CITY THE ANIMATION. Also, Miles watches his numbers go up as he gets lost in space. Ray hangs out with his fellow kids with some new online shooters.
 
Things We Talked About this Episode:
 
Umamusume: Pretty Derby
Astroneer
Fortnite
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7
CITY The Animation
 
Time Markers:
Teaser: 0:00
Intro: 0:49
Miles's Week: 3:18
Ray's Week: 13:05
City Review: 30:58
Spoilers: 46:14
Outro: 1:11:39
 
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
 
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

It's battle of the giant monsters once again on the podcast. Will this Shonen Jump property take it's new place as one of the new big 3 or will it be lost to history? Also, Miles does a triumphant pulse on his horse girl game. Frank breaks his curfew so he can battle in the woods. Ray argues he is not a visitor despite his perfect teeth.
 
Things We Talked About this Episode:
 
Umamusume: Pretty Derby
Hades II
No, I'm Not a Human
The Apothecary Diaries
Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc
Kaijuu 8-gou
 
Time Markers:
Teaser: 0:00
Intro: 0:50
Miles's Week: 3:56
Franks' Week: 8:22
Ray's Week: 14:04
Kauji No. Eight: 26:10
Spoilers: 38:29
Outro: 1:06:54
 
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

Nothing more scary than searching for the best new anime for the fall season. Join the TOP boys as they choose their favorite shows of autumn. Also, Miles doesn't go bananas for bananza. Frank proves he's a real gamer. Ray wakes up in a haunted mansion yet again.
 
Things We Talked About this Episode:
 
Donkey Kong Bananza
Umamusume: Pretty Derby
Gachiakuta
Hollow Knight: Silksong
Hades II
The Apothecary Diaries
Simulacra
Nightmare of Decay
Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider
Gintama – Mr. Ginpachi's Zany Class
My Status as an Assassin Obviously Exceeds the Hero's
Mechanical Marie
Digimon Beatbreak
Dusk Beyond the End of the World
A Mangaka's Weirdly Wonderful Workplace
Sanda
May I Ask for One Final Thing?
 
Time Markers:
Teaser: 0:00
Intro: 0:44
Miles's Week: 3:44
Franks' Week: 9:30
Ray's Week: 19:22
Kamen Rider: 34:01
Gintama: 41:55
Assassin: 47:42
Mechanical Marie: 56:49
Digimon: 1:04:05
Dusk Beyond: 1:12:41
Wonderful Workplace: 1:24:30
Sanda: 1:32:00
One Final Thing: 1:40:36
Fall Anime Rankings: 1:49:52
Outro: 1:59:31
 
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

Enjoy that pumpkin spice latte as the boys debate who has the best anime of summer 2025. Also, Ray admits he is a fake gamer. Frank has fun learning about plants. Miles puts down a gacha games so he can play another gacha game.
 
Things We Talked About this Episode:
 
The Apothecary Diaries
Donkey Kong Bananza
Umamusume: Pretty Derby
Honkai: Star Rail
The House of Tesla
Zutaboro Reijou wa Ane No Moto Konyakusha ni Dekiai sareru
Food Court de, Mata Ashita.
Clevatess: Majuu no Ou to Akago to Shikabane no Yuusha
 
Time Markers:
Teaser: 0:00
Intro: 0:51
Ray's Week: 3:19
Franks' Week: 12:34
Miles's Week: 25:01
Betrothed to My Sister's Ex: 34:29
Spoilers: 54:31
See You Tomorrow at the Food Court: 1:11:18
Spoilers: 1:22:57
Clevatess: 1:36:22
Spoilers: 1:51:47
Anime Summer Rankings: 2:13:36
Outro: 2:19:54
 
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

Tanjiro and all the other Hashiras are back to entertain the podcast brothers. Will our heroes defeat evil MJ and conjure the box office? Also, Miles becomes a My Little Ponies fan. Ray gets lost in the infamous Shinjuku Station.
 
Things We Talked About this Episode:
 
Umamusume: Pretty Derby
Donkey Kong Bananza
Ray Plans for Tokyo
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle
 
Time Markers:
Teaser: 0:00
Intro: 0:31
Miles's Week: 3:48
Ray's Week: 10:46
Demon Slayer Movie: 27:49
Spoilers: 41:30
Outro: 1:21:52
 
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

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