Podcast regular @attackonmomlife and fandom writer @stillmadaboutpetra join YHBG co-host @momtaku to discuss Rainbow Rowell’s latest in the Simon Snow series, “Any Way the Wind Blows“.

MP3 Download

Timestamps

Introductions
00:00:32 Introduction to guests
00:01:26 Introduction to the series
00:02:24 Trigger warnings
00:03:30 How did you find the series and are you normally a fan of YA literature?
00:09:40 One thing we loved, one thing that surprised us, and one thing we were less than enthused about.
00:14:40 Our involvement in the fandom
00:17:41 Shepard Love & the triumphs and travails of being a fandom writer
00:22:22 Why Wayward Son was awesome
00:26:20 Rainbow’s quote about intimacy and trauma

Simon
00:33:20 Initial thoughts about the Chosen One narrative
00:37:09 Simon and intimacy
00:48:08 Implications of being a dragon, immortality and vampire world building
00:52:28 Was the plot too light?
00:54:14 Simon and Smith Smith-Richards

The World of Mages
00:57:30 We all hate the World of Mages. Thank goodness for Shepard
01:03:06 The importance of the Old Stories (or lack thereof)
01:08:08 Will Simon get his magic back?
01:15:53 Too many loose threads? Spoiler alert: No!

Family:
01:18:46 Simon’s discovery of his biological family
01:22:51 Fiona is stinky and vampires were not important
01:26:25 Three cheers for Daphne
01:28:32 Would Natasha have accepted Baz?

1:30:00 BREAK

Agatha and Naimh
01:31:17  Mixed feelings about Agatha’s return to the magical world
01:34:20 Rainbow’s quote about difficulty writing Agatha
01:38:04 Agatha as the new Ebb?
01:40:36 Naimh
01:43:00 Agatha’s sexuality and sexy times with Simon?
01:45:38 Ensemble moment gathering the goats
01:47:15 Penny’s time to solo shine … as a crime lord?
01:49:22 Pippa and Baz’s redemption
01:53:43 Favorite Quote? Favorite Spell?
01:56:24 If Rainbow were to continue the story, what would you want?
02:01:31 Shoutout to the EsGAYpe From Reality podcast
2:03:06 Thank yous and goodbyes

 Links This Episode:

• Find Mad on AO3
• Momtaku’s favorite AWTWB meme
• EsGAYpe From Reality Podcast

A deeper read:

• Mad’s thought on Simon’s construction of masculinity
• Simon as a terrible boyfriend
• Never let them tell you you’re not magic
• Is this what people do?

The second chapter of Sui Ishida’s new manga Choujin X was released last week and Luna and Momtaku continue the tradition of reading it together.  Listen along as we try to make sense of bumbums, sheep cryptids and enjoy a wildly entertaining high speed Roller Boy Yay-Yay chase.

It’s a short episode – only 30 minutes, so see? We can be brief 😂
Read  Choujin X Chapter 2 for free on the Viz Media website

It’s a return to SnK as the Big Girls discuss their reaction to the final pages, and the sometimes extreme reaction of the fandom.

Timestamps

0:00:31 The return of Leak Week Hell

0:08:10 Big Girls have Big thoughts: New Page Discussion
0:11:45 Mikasa and Ymir
0:16:45 Mikasa and her family
0:18:44 Momtaku’s first cope
0:22:16 Future destruction of Paradis and the tree

0:28:46 Why did people hate the new pages
0:32:17 New crack theory: the birbs flying around the tree are the 104th
0:35:51 Now that the series is done would you recommend this series?

0:48:20 Break

0:48:54 Ask from Paris
0:52:46 Ask from Honey Lemon
0:54:50 Ask from Monica So
0:56:04 Ask from Enrico
0:57:26 Ask from The Coordinate: An Attack on Titan Podcast
0:58:09 Ask from Horatius
0:59:02 Podcast update and guessing game winner update
1:01:44 Thank yous, goodbyes and what’s next

Links this episode
The Canipa Effect: Breaking Down Attack on Titan’s (All Seasons) Incredible Animation

While awaiting the reveal of next month’s Attack on Titan final chapter additions, the Big Girl’s decide to read ChoujinX, the latest work from Sui Ishida (Tokyo Ghoul).

For our final chapter podcast, the Big Girls recorded with a live audience. Special guests include Linkspooky, Puppet, Polkka and Underscore.

Timestamps this chapter

Intro
1:24 Chapter Impressions
4:35 Chapter Poll Gone Wild
15:04 Armin and Eren’s Journey
18:00 Uhh… Ymir loved Karl?
21:47 Why was Mikasa key?
27:12 Did Eren kill his mother?
29:30 Eren loved Mikasa? Right manga, mom!
32:09 Ask from Ricah: Why do you think it was important for Isayama to have Eren be responsible for killing his mom (indirectly or directly)?
36:01 The reveal of “the final panel”
40:36 The reveal of Eren’s plan
43:13 Ask from Vital: Were you ever frustrated with who exactly was in control between Eren & Ymir?
45:56 Linkspooky’s thoughts on Eren

1:03:40 BREAK

1:05:10 Ask from Xlash: How do you feel about Eren LeLouch?
1:08:05 Ask Ricah: Do you think Isayamas 80/20 genocides vs survival rate was a compromise for the fandom and the factions?
1:12:00 Ask from Ricah: Okay but what do you think about Armin’s words to Eren and the big controversial “thank you eren ” moment?
1:17:51 Ask from Renan: Did you think Eren was acting sus through the last arc?
1:20:11 The failure of the mystery box approach and dropped plot points. Luna’s Reiner Rant
1:29:15 Ask from Savalkas: Did Isayama forget that all the Wall Titans would have turned back into normal Eldians?
1:32:21 Ask from Paula Abelenda: Do you believe we will get novels after this ending?
1:33:52 Our favorite moments from 139. Also right manga again, mom! Ghost Theory prevails! The Big Girls argue over Eremika
1:41:00 Ask from Petter: How likely is it that Historia is a Jaegerist?
1:45:05 Opinions about Levi staying alive?
1:46:25 Ask from Bertrice: Did Armin really deserve his ending? He got basically what he wanted on the sacrifices of others. Luna unleashes about Armin
1:49:37 Ask from Demon King: What are your thoughts on “Helos (reiner) and Fritz (zeke) saving the world together?
1:51:31 Ask from Neetaku: What do you think Reiner did to Isayama to make him hate him so much?
1:52:16 Ask from Vital and DominicG: What happened to Yelena? The Big Girls wonder if the Guidebook will answer that question.
1:55:03 Ask from Velocious: What is the point of Pieck’s character?
1:57:12 Luna wins! Mikasa buried the head under the tree!
1:57:45 Did Eren become birb?
1:59:26 Winner of the Final Guessing Game
2:04:29 Quickfire round with Polkka
2:09:53 Polkka’s Reiner Rant
2:20:11 Best arc
2:21:15 Fave arc
2:25:04 Fave Eren
2:29:04 Favorite and best character
2:29:59 Favorite moment
2:31:26 Fave chapter
2:35:36 What’s something you hated about aot
2:37:48 What’s something you loved about aot
2:38:33 Best aot meme
2:41:25 Best moment in your aot community
2:43:22 The best person you’ve met in the fandom
2:46:01 Final score of the series
2:50:56 Quickfire straw poll results
2:57:02 Thank yous and goodbyes
3:02:50 Closing song “Scarf” by Tori Morgan

Links this Episode

Straw poll charts, intermission sing-a-long and closing song

Final Guessing Game results

Welcome to our chapter 138 discussion. Our first guest this month representing eremika nation is Alooulla from the r/ShingekinoKyojin. We also welcome back “Eren optimist” Safflora for this penultimate chapter discussion.

The biggest surprise this month (besides the discovery that Safflora might be a closeted EH shipper 👀), is that with 45 pages remaining we are still left with far more questions than answers. Or rather, this chapter felt like an answer, but it was one without any explanations, leaving room for so much speculation. Our discussion this month reflects that.

~~ TIMESTAMPS ~~

Intro
00:03:11 Chapter impressions

Chapter Discussion
00:14:53 Titanic Family Reunions
00:17:33 “Mist” ending revealed
00:23:32 Ask from Paris: Tragedy that all transformed right after the general had taken Mr. Leonhart’s hand in solidarity. Will the titanizations be reversed?
00:32:36 Ask from AAJAEGER: Isayama keeps on breaking my heart over and over
00:35:10 Ask from Huev0s Rancher0s: As a Yeagerist I’m delighted to see that we all lose, Yeagerists and Alliance stans alike
00:40:26 Will the mass titanization be undone – Yes or no?

Falco’s scream and the Centipede gas
00:41:22 Question from AZFan: Do you know if Falco’s scream made them transform, or would it have happened regardless?
00:48:28 Expectation of the battle with Hallu-chan?
00:52:14 Get Some Air (Discord): Connection to norse mythology, specifically Eitr and the Mitgard serpent
00:55:25 What is the nature of the shiny centipede?
01:01:31 Ask from Shanto: How do you think Eren transformed into a Colossal Titan given that he is no longer connected to the Centipede creature?

Winners & Losers
01:09:32 Was Armin shafted by Eren and Mikasa? Expectations for Armin next chapter
01:16:04 Shout out to the Ackeraction and yay for Levi
01:19:41 Ask from Rubygus: If the Titan curse gets lifted, what will happen to the Ackermans?
01:24:01 Quick question: Who is the *spoiler* in the final panel?

01:25:30 ~~ Break ~~

Eren & Mikasa
01:26:03 Final panel thoughts, Momtaku and Luna go head to head.
01:32:05 Was Eren an active part of the dream?
01:49:04 Ask from Monica So: What did you guys think about the Mikasa scene?
01:52:06 Chapter one mystery resolved?? Not so fast!
01:54:03 Callback to Lost Girls novel
01:56:16 What are those darn headaches about?!
01:58:44 “See you later Eren” translation notes: https://tsuki-no-ura.tumblr.com/post/634312026978746368/oldsummerdream-bye-in-langauges-some-ramblings
02:00:43 How did Mikasa know where Eren was?
02:02:55 Why was Ymir smiling at Mikasa and Eren kissing?

The Message of this story
02:07:30 What will be the takeaway from the manga?
02:12:21 Discussion of recent Youtube video describing SnK as analogous to WWII

Q&A
02:19:34 Ask from Calliesnk: 13845
02:24:37 Ask from Enrico: Did this chapter pull you in? Mantis-butterfly foreshadowing
02:32:49 Ask from Shroomsloco: Will PATHS be important in the last chapter?
02:35:14 Ask from Podcast a los Titanes: Could the final chapter be called “The story that you started”?
02:37:21 Ask from Zeke’s sandcastle/clorox: Has Eren been portrayed too positively?

Wrapping up
02:47:36 Hope for the next chapter??
02:50:31 Quickfire round with Polkka
03:05:43 Thank yous and goodbyes

~~LINKS THIS EPISODE~~

Links this episode: A discussion of “goodbye” in other languages

Joining us for our chapter 137 discussion was AndrewAllStars who is known for two things – his livestream reactions to the manga and his undying love of Zeke Jaeger. We were also happy to have our friend Underscore to help us make sense of one of the most divisive chapters so far. We hope you enjoy the discussion.

137 Discussion:

[space]

Bonus Outtakes:

[space]

TIMESTAMPS

Intro
1:34 Chapter Impressions
6:05 The ending – We got off the hype train

List of complaints: Valid or nah?
13:35 Velocious’ rant video – https://youtu.be/KQ2X2M2VT00
14:25 The existence of Hallucigenia downgrades Eren’s character.
16:48 Ymir’s Isekai existence
19:33 Zeke could’ve acted at any point. Instead sat there having an existential crisis
23:37 Dead titans returning to the fight was disappointing and avengers-like
29:55 The battle continually feels like there are no real stakes

Zeke Discussion
33:49 History 101 with Isayama: the Cambrian explosion
37:28 Thoughts on Zeke’s perspective on life
39:59 Andrew on Zeke origins
46:23 What is the fandom opinion of Zeke?
48:25 Momtaku was wrong about Ksaver. Luna wasn’t 😛
50:48 Zeke’s and Grisha’s relationship
56:18 Ask from Paris (twitter): How did you guys feel about Zeke’s final moments?
57:02 Ask from A-ZFAN (twitter): Does existentialism tie well into the series’ themes?
1:01:36 Ask from A-ZFAN (twitter): Are the past shifters stopping the rumbling consistent with their character?
1:05:36 Who would support the rumbling?

Crack theories (or are they?)
1:14:18 Fandom theories of Eren killing his mom
1:15:50 Final Fantasy XIII trilogy – Luna’s horrible Ragnarok theory
1:17:56 Muv-Luv ending?

Armin discussion
1:19:15 Armin’s memories that made life worth living
1:25:04 Meta “The race of Life” by aspoonofsugar – https://aspoonofsugar.tumblr.com/post/642592936249425920/the-race-of-life

OG Ymir
1:28:21 Ask from Monica So (twitter): How can a parasite unite people in a parallel dimension?!
1:33:35 The Two Worm theory https://www.reddit.com/r/titanfolk/comments/lfkjgr/discussion_chapter_137/gmn7wnq/?context=3
1:35:48 Does Ymir now side with the alliance?
1:38:47 Will she be reborn as Hisu’s baby?

Random Musings
1:40:23 Highschool AU ending revisited
1:43:27 Momtaku gets personal (WTF?!): “what is your leaf?”

1:48:17 ~~ Break ~~

The Battle: The Alliance vs. The Titans
1:48:49 The rise of Fingerstein
1:52:58 Gabi snipes
1:57:44 Ksaver’s titan form useless?? RIP to the whale titan
2:02:04 Lotus flower Godmin
2:06:21 Freckled Ymir :))))) and other shifters we want to see again
2:09:36 Bert’s fingertips of chastity vs. Malaysian titan clothing

Levi and the postmature demise of Monke
2:11:26 Andrews reaction to Levi killing the Beast Titan
2:15:14 Ask from Paris (twitter): How did you read that look on Levi’s face as he finally got to kill him?

Reiner Helos
2:20:53 Ask from Vital (discord) – Who’s going to be the next Helos? The set-up says it’s Reiner

Q&A
2:23:29 Ask from Shanto (twitter): How did we feel about the former shifters coming to help?
2:23:51 Ask from PrinceSeerow (twitter): What are the consequences of stopping the rumbling?
2:24:58 Fandom theory #1: Eren will restart the rumbling
2:26:27 Fandom theory #2: Lelouch ending, Eren planned this
2:27:10 Andrew’s theory #1: LotR ending
2:28:13 Andrew’s theory #2: The future of Paradis (is in Rico’s hands?)
2:30:15 Final panel theorizing
2:32:43 Luna’s theory: Open ending, the Eldians’ fate will be a mystery
2:34:28 Ask from Sych🦉(twitter): Will Eren actually do something next chapter, or will we just get his swan song?
2:36:22 Ask from Translateda (tumblr) – Disappointment in the Russian fandom

Wrapping up
2:40:20 What would you like to see next chapter?
2:46:22 QUICKFIRE ROUND (spoiler alert: we all die of laughter)
2:53:46 Thank you and goodbyes

LINKS THIS EPISODE

Velocious’s 137 Rant Video
aspoonofsugar: “The race of life”
Two worm theory
Malaysian Comic Magazine Censors Attack On Titan Manga…With Pants
Andrew Livestars on Twitch
Underscore’s Youtube

With Levi (finally!) having a focus and giving what might be his swan song, we’re excited to welcome two longtime Levi fans, writer @lostcauses-noregrets​ and artist ​seitsen-sarvi (aka Marie) to be our guests on the 136 podcast.

Timestamps

0:00:00 Introductions
0:01:53 Initial impressions
0:04:39 Fate of the boat crew
0:06:03 Falco’s promise to save Gabi. What could possibly go wrong?
0:08:46 The conflict of Fort Salta. How will it end?
0:15:33 The alliance decide to kill Eren. Again. Did this decision take too long?
0:23:40 Ask from RubyGus: What do you think Levi would want to tell Eren?
0:29:30 Is the unity of the Alliance unrealistic?
0:33:00 Annie & Mikasa. Best Friends Forever.
0:39:08 Return of the “Shiny Centipede”
0:55:42 Ask from Monica So: Do you guys think they will kill the parasite and free all eldians or … wrong manga?
1:03:08 Fantastical Beasts Part 2
1:12:53 Okapi: Cart or Beast… or Female Titan??
1:14:28 101 reason to love Pieck Finger
1:23:48 Was the humor out of place this chapter?

01:27:14 Break

Levi Discussion
1:27:43 Lost, Marie and Momtaku dig into Levi’s monologue and (let’s be honest) fangirl over our guy.
1:47:09 The Lostcyclopedia answers how many times we’ve seen the crate scene
1:49:41 The Lostcyclopedia answers how many times we’ve seen Erwin this arc
1:52:32 Will Levi be able to kill the Beast Titan?
1:57:11 Erwin Would Not Support the Rumbling Version 3.0
2:04:02 Levi reflecting on entrusting the future to Armin

2:11:36 Is it time for Armin’s big brain moment?
2:14:24 Is Zeke a big brain at all?
2:16:26 Zeke Makeover Paths Edition. Is he heading towards a redemption?
2:31:28 Ask from @levimoonsky for Lost
2:38:17 Zeke says he’s eaten by Ymir too. What does he mean?
2:41:02 Next chapter predictions
2:43:11 Lost and Marie’s character death predictions
2:47:09 Ask from @callie_snk: Is Isayama hinting a timeloop ending?
2:48:56 Theory from Vital: Eren has been leading Falco to become the next Attack and Founding Titan

2:54:35 Polkka’s Quickfire Round (featuring Polkka)
3:05:12 Thank yous and Goodbyes

Links this episode

Lostcauses on tumblr: https://lostcauses-noregrets.tumblr.com/
Marie on tumblr: https://seitsen-sarvi.tumblr.com/
Momtaku on tumblr: https://momtaku.tumblr.com/

Anime-only friendly!

Look, it’s a weekly podcast after all! And who better to join me for episode two than twitter’s biggest Porco and Reiner stans: Alina James and drunkhelos aka Pokko.
The first half is us gushing about the episode and the warrior family.
In the second half we say goodbye to our anime only fans and dive into manga spoilers, as well as answer some questions from our listeners!

Timestamps

0:00:00 Introduction
0:01:41 Initial impressions

0:06:15 Thoughts on the Animation
0:15:28 Thoughts on the Voice Acting

Changes from the manga
0:21:54 Added/Changed/Missing scenes
0:28:27 Reiner’s facial expression’s (or lack thereof)
0:37:00 Added Scene: Soldier jumping off rooftop
0:39:01 Restructering of the story: Was it done well?
0:43:28 Changed Scene: Reiner’s Nightmare
0:46:37 Falco, Gabi and Magath

0:50:20 BREAK

*Manga Spoilers*
0:50:43 Manga Spoiler Section: The figure watching from the shadows
0:58:12 Why were the Porco moments added?
1:01:22 You choose the wrong family
1:05:16 What are we looking forward to seeing animated?
1:07:50 Are they even still alive? The elaborate Chapter 135 discussion
1:16:02 The role of “that girl” and the ending of SnK
1:22:25 The role of a certain boy and the ending of SnK
1:25:26 Favorite Anime-only theories

Q&A
1:30:38 Ask from HooveredBraunie
1:32:35 Ask from Momtaku
1:36:21 Ask from Erenscollarbone
1:42:32 Ask from Dorovahkiin
1:44:37 Ask from KarenEdwardsTV

1:51:07 Thank yous and goodbyes

LINKS THIS EPISODE
Anime-only links:
Anime Poll: https://snkpolls.tumblr.com/post/637632236569690112/snk-episode-61-poll

Manga Reader links:
Alina James’ twitter: https://twitter.com/alinajames
Alina James’ tumblr: https://alinajames.tumblr.com/
drunkhelos’ twitter: https://twitter.com/drunkhelos
Anime Poll: https://snkpolls.tumblr.com/post/637632236569690112/snk-episode-61-poll