I Married a Weeb

Strap in, space cadets! This week, we’re traveling back to 1988 to talk about Gunbuster, the mecha masterpiece that marked Hideaki Anno’s directorial debut. Before Neon Genesis Evangelion melted our brains and crushed our souls, Anno was already laying the groundwork for his signature blend of sci-fi spectacle, deep existential themes, and—of course—giant robots with way too much emotional baggage.

Join us as we break down the Top wo Nerae! legacy, explore the storytelling and stylistic connections between Gunbuster and Evangelion, and maybe shed a tear over six episodes of pure, high-energy, time-dilated heartbreak. Was Noriko the proto-Shinji? Is Gunbuster secretly Evangelion’s cool aunt? And how did this anime set the stage for one of the most iconic creators in the industry?

While we gear up for some exciting episodes in the coming weeks, today we’re bringing you a lighthearted filler packed with laughs, playful marital banter, and some unexpected twists! Tom dives into his nostalgic trip to a Blockbuster-themed escape room (did he make it out, or is he still stuck in the ‘90s?), we discuss our latest attempt at spoiling our daughter with an absurdly large Pokémon plushie, and we share what manga has been keeping us up at night. Grab a snack, get cozy, and join us for a fun, no-stress episode!

In this episode, we dive into the emotional roller coaster that is Look Back, the 2024 anime movie adaptation of Tatsuki Fujimoto’s powerful one-shot manga. We explore the film’s deep themes of creativity, friendship, grief, and artistic growth while reflecting on how it captures Fujimoto’s signature storytelling.

Join us as we break down Look Back scene by scene, share our thoughts, and most importantly—did it leave us emotionally wrecked? (Spoiler: Yes.)