
The ZONE Podcast: Nerdy News and Reviews
We, the Zealots of Nerd Entertainment (or the ZONE Alliance), are a group of eople talking about old and new movies, television shows, video games, and everything else in nerd/pop culture!
Episodes
374 episodes
Star Wars: The Xtreme Review (Part 4) (Live-Action Shows)
We continue our Star Wars Xtreme Review by diving into all the live-action TV shows from The Mandalorian to Andor, rating them on their strengths and weaknesses, with honest opinions on what works and what stumbles in the galaxy far, far away.<...
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30:57

Class of 3000 & The Temptations of Fame's Double Edge
Fame is a double-edged sword that's cut down countless talented artists throughout history. What happens when success, money, and adulation transform someone from a passionate creator into an ego-driven caricature of themselves?This epi...
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Season 18
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Episode 8
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56:45

Netflix's Devil May Cry: A Demon-Slaying Renaissance
When the creators of Netflix's Devil May Cry described their vision as "part of the bootleg multiverse alongside Castlevania," they weren't just name-dropping – they were signaling their ambitious reimagining of a beloved franchise that walks t...
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Season 18
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Episode 7
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1:12:12

Shangri-La Frontier (Season 2): Gaming Beyond Garbage
Shangri-La Frontier drops us into a future where traditional video games are considered retro relics, and anything less than cutting-edge VR is dismissed as "crap." Yet it's precisely these supposedly inferior games that have forged Rakuro Hizu...
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Season 18
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Episode 6
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57:55

From Rave Master to Edens Zero: The Evolution of Hiro Mashima's Storytelling
We explore Hero Mashima's storytelling evolution from Rave Master to Farmagia to Edens Zero, finding that Edens Zero represents his most mature and compelling work yet.• Rave Master still holds up with solid jokes, music, and character ...
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Season 18
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Episode 5
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43:04

Air Gear: Soaring Beyond Gravity with Air Treks & Teenage Rebellion
Freedom takes flight in the urban sprawl of futuristic Japan, where motorized inline skates called Air Treks have transformed not just transportation, but an entire underground culture. When high schooler Ikki Minami stumbles upon this world th...
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Season 18
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Episode 4
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59:56

Sentai Red Isekai: The Power of Friendship and Kizuna Beasts in a New World
We dive into Sentai Red Isekai, a unique anime that transports a Power Ranger to a fantasy world where his transformation powers baffle local magic users. The series blends tokusatsu action with isekai adventure, creating something fresh yet no...
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Season 18
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Episode 3
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53:27

Thunderbolts: Dark Humor and Unexpected Redemption
Thunderbolts delivers a perfect blend of humor, action and unexpected emotional depth as Marvel's most damaged antiheroes find purpose together against impossible odds.• Initial impressions rate the movie 9/10, with its charm, humor and...
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Season 18
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Episode 2
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36:01

Nerdy News Special #25: Sinners, Grand Theft Auto 6 & Increased Anti-Piracy Measures
The entertainment landscape is evolving rapidly with major shifts in movies, television, gaming, and anime culture. From the blockbuster success of "Sinners" to controversial price hikes in gaming and concerning censorship of anime content, we ...
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2:10:37

Bleach: The Xtreme Review (Part 4: Season 13-16)
Zanpakuto spirits gain physical forms and rebel against their Soul Reaper masters, while Ichigo faces Aizen's final evolution and later loses his powers, only to encounter mysterious Fullbringers who promise to restore his abilities.• Z...
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1:29:48

Bleach: The Xtreme Review (Part 3: Seasons 9-12)
We continue our Bleach Dream Review with an in-depth look at Seasons 9-12, covering the New Captain arc, Arrancar: Karakura Town arc, the crucial Past arc, and the beginning of the Soul Society vs Arrancar war.• Season 9 introduces Capt...
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41:54

Bleach: The Xtreme Review (Part 2: Seasons 5-8)
We dive into the moral complexity of Bleach's Soul Society and how the Arrancar arc revitalizes Hollows as a genuine threat after they were diminished in previous arcs.• Introduction to Arrancar arc covering seasons 5-8 • How S...
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1:01:46

Bleach: The Xtreme Review (Part 1: Seasons 1-4)
We take a deep dive into the early arcs of Bleach, revisiting the series that deserves recognition as part of anime's Big Three alongside thoughtful analysis of its strengths and weaknesses.• Introducing the Substitute Soul Reaper arc a...
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1:30:11

Anime Lightning #1: Winter Season 2025
J.B. introduces a new segment called "Anime Lightning" where he provides quick reviews of anime from the current season that the rest of the ZONE Podcast crew hasn't had time to cover.• Ameku M.D.: Doctor Detective (House: The Anime) - ...
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Season 18
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Episode 2
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37:22

Nerdy News Special #24: Spider-Man 4, Nintendo Switch 2 and Mary Jane Watson as the New Venom?!
We've reached the second anniversary of the Nerdy News, bringing you the latest updates on movies, TV, gaming, comics, and tech innovations while looking ahead to possibly becoming a weekly show in 2026.• Spider-Man: Brand New Day starr...
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19:13

DanMachi (Seasons 1-5): A Decade of Dungeon-Diving and Divine Rejection
"Is It Wrong to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?" (DanMachi) celebrates its 10th anniversary as a fantasy series where gods live among humans and form "familias" that explore monster-filled dungeons beneath the city of Orario.• Bell Cranell,...
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Season 18
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Episode 1
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18:06

Solo Leveling (Season 2): The Evolution of Sung Jinwoo, Rising From the Shadows
Sung Jinwoo's journey from E-rank to S-rank continues in Solo Leveling Season 2 as he faces powerful new enemies including demon monarchs and the formidable Ant King on Jeju Island.• The mysterious "System" allows Jinwoo to level up unl...
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Season 17
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Episode 21
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57:19

Immortal Grand Prix (IGPX): Mechs, Racing, and Underrated Potential
IGPX ushers the anime community into the world of mecha racing, exploring themes of teamwork, technology, and emotional connections among characters.
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Season 17
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Episode 20
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11:16

Blue Exorcist (Seasons 1-4): From Slow Start to Supernatural Masterpiece
Blue Exorcist transforms from a slow-starting supernatural anime into a gripping tale of family, identity, and the eternal struggle between good and evil across its four seasons. Season 4 delivers shocking revelations about Rin and Yukio's orig...
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Season 17
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Episode 19
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1:29:29

Tenjho Tenge: Martial Arts, Delinquents & Wasted Potential
Immerse yourself in the world of Tenjho Tenge! This episode takes a critical look at the anime adaptation of a beloved manga that sparked significant conversation among fans. While it took off with promising character dynamics and thrilling mar...
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Season 17
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Episode 18
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22:11

Full Metal Alchemist (Live-Action Trilogy): When Alchemy Goes Wrong
Netflix's Full Metal Alchemist live-action trilogy offers an uneven adaptation that ranges from frustratingly bad to surprisingly good. The second film stands as the trilogy's highlight while the first and third installments struggle with poor ...
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Season 17
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Episode 17
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56:36

Blue Lock (Season 2): The Evolution of Ego
Blue Lock Season 2 challenges conventional wisdom about ego in sports, examining how players must balance teamwork with individual excellence to achieve greatness.• The first half focuses on team selection for Blue Lock, showcasing inte...
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Season 17
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Episode 16
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54:47

Nerdy News Special #23: Fantastic Four, The Grammys and the Return of the Vampire Slayer
We dive into an information-packed edition of the Nerdy News Special covering major announcements across pop culture, featuring heated debates about upcoming adaptations and celebrations of recent successes.• Fantastic Four teaser trail...
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3:23:21

History's Strongest Disciple, Kenichi: Mastering the Martial Arts Life
Kenichi the Mightiest Disciple mixes humor with martial arts action, portraying a relatable underdog's transformation from bullied to disciplined warrior. We discuss Kenichi's growth under the tutelage of six distinctive masters, highlighting d...
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Season 17
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Episode 15
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43:10

Dragon Ball Daima: New Lore, Transformations & Adventures in the Demon Realm
The episode dives deep into the charming world of Dragon Ball Daima, examining its narrative twists, character transformations, and thematic depth. Goku's journey of youthful rebirth provides an interesting lens through which both nostalgia and...
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Season 17
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Episode 14
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1:15:51
