Iman Vellani joins The Anime Effect to talk Ms. Marvel, Attack on Titan, comics, and the anime fandoms that fuel her and her new Image Comics series, Chachu. Plus, we break down anime’s big wrestling crossover with AEW, SpongeBob SquarePants x ONE PIECE Happy Meals, Burger King x Dragon Ball, Pokémon: Wild Card, and more. This week on The Anime Effect: ⭐ Iman Vellani joins the show ⭐ AEW brings anime to London - https://got.cr/4xG3JGP⭐ SpongeBob x ONE PIECE - https://got.cr/SpongeBobOP⭐ Pokémon: Wild Card anime movie - https://got.cr/PokemonWildCard What We're Watching: ⭐ Dragon Ball Super: Broly - https://got.cr/462AstE ⭐ Haikyu!! - https://got.cr/4x7fBjS ⭐ Cyberpunk: Edgerunners - https://got.cr/4icnDnV Should Iman Vellani’s tackle anime next? Send us your anime questions, hot takes, and recommendations: https://got.cr/AnimeEffectQuestions The Anime Effect is Crunchyroll’s weekly anime podcast hosted by Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, and Leah President. Each week, the crew dives into the biggest anime news, interviews creators and guests, shares recommendations, debates fandom hot topics, and answers listeners' questions. HOSTS: Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, Leah PresidentSHOWRUNNER: Megan PetersV/A DIRECTOR: Shaun Michael ColonMARKETING PRODUCER: Carla Solorzano From The Anime Effect podcast to video essays, interviews, and deep dives on your favorite anime, Crunchyroll Presents takes you closer to the world of anime. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Scott Pilgrim creator Bryan Lee O’Malley joins The Anime Effect to unpack the anime and manga roots behind his hit series, his history with SCIENCE SARU, and his return to Scott Pilgrim with a brand-new comic. Plus, we break down anime's growing footprint in theme parks, One Piece’s new movies, Charles Melton’s Naruto casting, and the anime we’re watching this week. This week on The Anime Effect: ⭐ Bryan Lee O’Malley joins the show ⭐ One Piece announces new movies: https://got.cr/OPNewMovies ⭐ Charles Melton in talks for Naruto’s Kakashi: https://bit.ly/4qJYoeH ⭐ Dragon Ball Z, Chainsaw Man, and more anime theme park updates What We're Watching: Scott Pilgrim Takes Off: https://bit.ly/4y7IAF8 BLACK TORCH: https://got.cr/BLKTRH Princess Jellyfish: https://got.cr/PRNJELLY Which anime do you want represented in your favorite theme park? Send us your anime questions, hot takes, and recommendations: https://got.cr/AnimeEffectQuestions The Anime Effect is Crunchyroll’s weekly anime podcast hosted by Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, and Leah President. Each week, the crew dives into the biggest anime news, interviews creators and guests, shares recommendations, debates fandom hot topics, and answers listeners' questions. HOSTS: Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, Leah President SHOWRUNNER: Megan Peters V/A DIRECTOR: Shaun Michael Colon MARKETING PRODUCER: Carla Solorzano From The Anime Effect podcast to video essays, interviews, and deep dives on your favorite anime, Crunchyroll Presents takes you closer to the world of anime. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kingdom Hearts is finally getting an anime, and yes, we are so serious about it. The Anime Effect is breaking down the Kingdom Hearts anime for Disney+ and Disney Channel, why Sora’s story is such a massive deal to gamers, and why this show kept us waiting.Plus, we review Krispy Kreme’s Pokémon donuts, dive into The Apothecary Diaries Season 3, celebrate Witch Hat Atelier’s Astra TV Award win, and more.This week on The Anime Effect:⭐ Kingdom Hearts anime is on the horizon⭐ The ‘00s video games that still need anime adaptations⭐ The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 update⭐ Witch Hat Atelier wins big at the Astra Awards⭐ Skip and Loafer Season 2 eyes its premiere⭐ Krispy Kreme’s Pokémon donuts steal the micSend us your anime questions, hot takes, and recommendations: https://got.cr/AnimeEffectQuestionsThe Anime Effect is Crunchyroll’s weekly anime podcast hosted by Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, and Leah President. Each week, the crew dives into the biggest anime news, interviews creators and guests, shares recommendations, debates fandom hot topics, and answers listeners' questions.HOSTS: Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, Leah PresidentSHOWRUNNER: Megan PetersV/A DIRECTOR: Shaun Michael ColonMARKETING PRODUCER: Carla SolorzanoFrom The Anime Effect podcast to video essays, interviews, and deep dives on your favorite anime, Crunchyroll Presents takes you closer to the world of anime. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kyle Higgins joins The Anime Effect to explore how anime and tokusatsu are reshaping American superheroes. The writer of Radiant Black, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Ultraman, Nightwing, and Teen Titans breaks down what Hollywood can learn from transformation sequences, legacy heroes, and more. Plus, we talk Attack on Titan’s impact on Expedition 33, Crunchyroll x Genshin Impact's huge collaboration, Hello Kitty’s Godzilla Happy Meal takeover, and the anime we’re watching this week. This week on The Anime Effect: ⭐ Kyle Higgins joins the show ⭐ How anime is changing American superheroes ⭐ Radiant Black and Power Rangers and tokusatsu talk ⭐ Attack on Titan’s impact on Expedition 33: https://bit.ly/4xMdVNz ⭐ Crunchyroll x Genshin Impact collab: https://got.cr/4c9xmrl ⭐ Hello Kitty x Godzilla is coming to McDonald’s: https://got.cr/4zhRvFf What comic would you recommend to an anime fan? Send us your anime questions, hot takes, and more: https://got.cr/AnimeEffectQuestions What we're watching on The Anime Effect: ⭐ Yoroi-Shinden Samurai Troopers: https://bit.ly/4i9iKMb ⭐ Apocalypse Hotel: https://got.cr/4guNvKe ⭐ Eden of the East: https://got.cr/4y0YoJZ The Anime Effect is Crunchyroll’s weekly anime podcast hosted by Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, and Leah President. Each week, the crew dives into the biggest anime news, interviews creators and guests, shares recommendations, debates fandom hot topics, and answers listeners' questions. HOSTS: Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, Leah President SHOWRUNNER: Megan Peters V/A DIRECTOR: Shaun Michael Colon MARKETING PRODUCER: Carla Solorzano From The Anime Effect podcast to video essays, interviews, and deep dives on your favorite anime, Crunchyroll Presents takes you closer to the world of anime. WATCH MORE ANIME ⭐Start your FREE 7-day Crunchyroll trial: https://got.cr/cp-7days Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hatsune Miku is officially entering Magic: The Gathering with a new Secret Lair Commander deck, and MTG designer Carmen Klomparens joins The Anime Effect to reveal how it came together. Plus, we break down Spider-Man’s latest anime crossover, the first look at Gachiakuta Season 2, Neon Genesis Evangelion joining The Criterion Collection, and a new My Hero Academia special. This week on The Anime Effect: ⭐ Hatsune Miku x Magic: The Gathering ⭐ BTS Interview w/ Senior Game Designer Carmen Klomparens ⭐ Spider-Man’s growing anime connection: https://bit.ly/4xoYyKH ⭐ Gachiakuta Season 2 first look: https://got.cr/4wKfJpX ⭐ Evangelion is moving to Criterion: https://got.cr/3TDAXHH ⭐ A new My Hero Academia special is out: https://got.cr/4fO2lda What do you think of Hatsune Miku’s MTG era? Send us your anime questions, hot takes, and recommendations: https://got.cr/AnimeEffectQuestions The Anime Effect is Crunchyroll’s weekly anime podcast hosted by Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, and Leah President. Each week, the crew dives into the biggest anime news, interviews creators and guests, shares recommendations, debates fandom hot topics, and answers listeners' questions. GUEST: CARMEN KLOMPARENS (https://got.cr/4z39Tlj) HOSTS: Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, Leah President SHOWRUNNER: Megan Peters V/A DIRECTOR: Shaun Michael Colon MARKETING PRODUCER: Carla Solorzano From The Anime Effect podcast to video essays, interviews, and deep dives on your favorite anime, Crunchyroll Presents takes you closer to the world of anime. GET MORE ANIME ⭐Start your FREE 7-day Crunchyroll trial: https://got.cr/cp-7days Read More Anime Headlines NOW at Crunchyroll News: https://got.cr/4q0DlUO #HatsuneMiku #MagicTheGathering #AnimeNews Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Spider-Man is swinging out with a new manga! The Anime Effect breaks down Marvel’s next big partnership, Akira Toriyama’s Eisner Award honor, SDCC 2026 highlights, Mobile Suit Gundam RG XARX-ZERO, and the secret sauce for the ULTIMATE anime remake. Welcome to The Anime Effect, the weekly podcast hosted by Crunchyroll's own in-house, resident anime experts – Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, and Leah President. The show is a lively mixture of roundtable news and discussion with Crunchyroll hosts and special guests as they debate hot topics, provide recommendations, and tackle fan questions. Talk to us! https://got.cr/AnimeEffectQuestions HOSTS: Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, Leah President SHOWRUNNER: Megan Peters V/A DIRECTOR: Shaun Michael Colon MARKETING PRODUCER: Carla Solorzano From The Anime Effect podcast to video essays, interviews, and deep dives on your favorites, Crunchyroll Presents takes you closer to the world of anime. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nick Apostolides joins The Anime Effect this week to talk Ghost in the Shell, his first major anime role, and the legacy of Resident Evil’s Leon Kennedy. Plus, we dive into Akira, anime dubbing, Leon's best lines, and the internet’s obsession with “Daddy Leon.” Welcome to The Anime Effect, the weekly podcast hosted by Crunchyroll's own in-house, resident anime experts – Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, and Leah President. The show is a lively mixture of roundtable news and discussion with Crunchyroll hosts and special guests as they debate hot topics, provide recommendations, and tackle fan questions. Talk to us! https://got.cr/AnimeEffectQuestions Demon Slayer Earns Critics' Choice Awards Nomination & More One Piece’s LEGO Special Drops First Trailer, Paving a New Frontier for Anime Naruto Creator Makes Surprise Marvel Cameo to Crown the Best Spider-Man Movie Find Nick on Instagram and X! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Live-action anime is heating up Hollywood! The Anime Effect breaks down Naruto’s Team 7 casting search & My Hero Academia’s movie update! PLUS, big Anime Expo news continues with Solo Leveling’s movie debut, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2, Godzilla Minus Zero, and Studio Ghibli’s new anime drop. Welcome to The Anime Effect, the weekly podcast hosted by Crunchyroll's own in-house, resident anime experts – Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, and Leah President. The show is a lively mixture of roundtable news and discussion with Crunchyroll hosts and special guests as they debate hot topics, provide recommendations, and tackle fan questions. Talk to us! https://got.cr/AnimeEffectQuestions HOSTS: Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, Leah President SHOWRUNNER: Megan Peters V/A DIRECTOR: Shaun Michael Colon MARKETING PRODUCER: Carla Solorzano From The Anime Effect podcast to video essays, interviews, and deep dives on your favorites, Crunchyroll Presents takes you closer to the world of anime. FREE 7-DAY CRUNCHYROLL TRIAL ⭐️ https://got.cr/cp-7daysFollow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Anime Effect is live from Anime Expo 2026! The hosts unite IRL to explore why anime conventions are bigger than ever, AKIRA’s theatrical return, Star Wars' new anime, The Apothecary Diaries movie, and the wildest Naruto release we've heard about in years!Welcome to The Anime Effect, the weekly podcast hosted by Crunchyroll's own in-house, resident anime experts – Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, and Leah President. The show is a lively mixture of roundtable news and discussion with Crunchyroll hosts and special guests as they debate hot topics, provide recommendations, and tackle fan questions. Talk to us! https://got.cr/AnimeEffectQuestions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, The Anime Effect prepares for Anime Expo 2026 this week with an unhinged episode that puts our hosts’ IQs to the test. From Cyberpunk’s TV return to the Joker’s anime spotlight, we’re going all in on the biggest headlines of the past week to make you a bigger & better anime fan. Welcome to The Anime Effect, the weekly podcast hosted by Crunchyroll's own in-house, resident anime experts – Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, and Leah President. The show is a lively mixture of roundtable news and discussion with Crunchyroll hosts and special guests as they debate hot topics, provide recommendations, and tackle fan questions. Talk to us! https://got.cr/AnimeEffectQuestions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices