Greetings, fellow humans! This week's episode of the Geeks & Gaijins Podcast has an assortment of tales, topics, and truths to share! Prepare yourself to join academy-award-winner Tommy Lee Jones in an adventure containing Japanese Culture, Coffee Marketing, and.... Aliens? Our ever-prepared field correspondent Jon will also be discussing earthquakes in Japan, as well as his high-quality(ish) prep kit. And if that wasn't enough content for your corneas, stick around for the Japanese governem...
Jun 03, 2020•41 min
Greetings, fellow weeb trash! Ever wondered what living in Japan is like? Ever wanted to know more about Japanese culture? Well we have the perfect introduction for you right here, as Jon tells you all about the fascinating, foreign, and downright head-scratching world of Japanese rubbish disposal! No wait, come back..... No interest in bins? How about buns instead? How about buns and guns? Tom and Jon discuss Vber Macho, a new food delivery service where the delivery men are all bodybuilders! A...
May 27, 2020•42 min
Hey, what's the deal with these Playstation Controller buttons? Well, I'm glad you asked, anonymous stranger! This episode of the Geeks & Gaijins Podcast introduces us to the peculiar history behind Playstation's iconic symbols, the differences between Japanese and American consoles, and why the X button is so gosh-danged confusing. Also in this episode, Jon presents a range of news stories from the Japanese entertainment industry, including Golgo, the longest-running manga, Studio Ghibli's ...
May 20, 2020•40 min
Ever wondered how the Japanese sign documents? No? Well good news! This episode of the Geeks & Gaijins Podcast is all about Hanko, a type of stamp used in place of a signature! Jon explains the social significance, business systems, and frustrating work culture surrounding these little stamps have, and why the current global situation might lead to the Japanese abandoning the practice. In other news, mother's day was last week, at least outside the UK, and so the boys are exploring motherhoo...
May 13, 2020•40 min
Its Japanese History for Gaijins. Ever wanted to learn about the history of Japan, but history books too boring? Well lets learn about Japan together!! It's the finale series 1 for our history show, that has taken us all the way from prehistory to the end of Heian Era. WARNING this week it's going to get GORY! As it's time to reflect on the life of one of Japan's most famous figures, Minamoto no Yoshitsune and what happens to him after the Genpei War (Spoilers, not good stuff!) . From Japan's gr...
May 12, 2020•20 min
Geeks & Gaijins takes on the free market! Twin Engine's recent crowdfunding campaign for Kurayukaba has sparked interest from our holed-up hosts, and so Jon and Tom will be providing a lesson on the brief yet messy history of trying to fund anime production through the public. Join us as we delve into this new avenue of anime production, and discover the fun benefits and devastating drawbacks of bucking the mainstream. For those looking for a more positive story to fill their isolated hours,...
May 06, 2020•35 min
Its Japanese History for Gaijins. Ever wanted to learn about the history of Japan, but history books too boring? Well lets learn about Japan together!! This week it's time for a SAMURAI SHOWDOWN! The Gempei War (1180-5) is one of the most important conflicts in Japanese history! But what happens? The ultimate fight between the Minamoto and the Taira families. It has betrayal, epic battles, bad maths and failures at geography! There is even a real life Japanese version of the spartan 300! All in ...
May 05, 2020•23 min
April 29th to May 5th is the legendary Golden Week in Japan, where the Japanese experience the strange yet pleasant phenomena of an extended holiday. Current events might put a dampner on people's plans to celebrate and get away from it all, but our magnanimous correspondent Jon will be on hand as always to break down the various holiday days for us. Looking for something a little weirder in your Japan podcast? Well we have a treat for you then! Dare you discover the disurbing delicacy that is c...
Apr 29, 2020•46 min
Its Japanese History for Gaijins. Ever wanted to learn about the history of Japan, but history books too boring? Well lets learn about Japan together!! This week we have what everyone has been waiting for... It's Samurai. But what is a samurai? Well let's find out together, whilst following the first samurai leader of Japan Taira no Kiyomori! We have so many epic stories , including failed uprising and coups. The most iconic scene is when Kiyomori and his men pursue the fleeing Minamoto through ...
Apr 28, 2020•18 min
Geeks & Gaijins returns with another dive into the world of cycling in Japan. This week, Jon discusses more of his own experiences, the many perils that face a foreigner on a bike, and the many "laws" Japan has regarding riding one. Both boys have also finally finished watching Season 4 of My Hero Academia, and take the time to discuss the difficuties of dubbing, their favourite parts of the show, and the lows that accompany those highs. Go Beyond! Plus Ultra! Would you like to hear us talk ...
Apr 22, 2020•43 min
Its Japanese History for Gaijins. Ever wanted to learn about the history of Japan, but history books too boring? Well lets learn about Japan together!! This week we have every high-school student's nightmare. It's poetry! But not just Haikus and Shakespeare, what if your entire social and work life was defined by how good you were at poetry? Well that's Heian Japan,have a listen just in case you end up time travelling, so you know your plum blossom from your snow... Also the Tale of Genji, the w...
Apr 22, 2020•20 min
Spring has sprung, which means it's time for Japan to become it's most anime-est! Across the country, cherry blossoms - aka Sakura - are blooming, painting the country pink. Sadly for Japan, there will be no sakura viewing parties this year, due to concerns regarding you-know-what. This will not stop Jon from explaining what exactly a "Sakura Viewing Party" is to us foreigners, however. Score! Snack break this weeks features something that may or may not be an actual ice cream, and Jon gets reve...
Apr 15, 2020•43 min
Its Japanese History for Gaijins. Ever wanted to learn about the history of Japan, but history books too boring? Well lets learn about Japan together!! This week we're looking at the downfall of one of Japan's greatest clans! As well as the rise of a government so peculiar it could only be Japanese. Want Emperor monks, the Evil Councillor of the Left and FINALLY SAMURAI. Would you like to hear us talk about Japan some more? Find our podcast here: Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/G-GSpot Itunes: http...
Apr 14, 2020•15 min
The world's still sick, but Japan apparently missed the memo. Only now have the government started taking precautions to help shelter their population from Covid 19, with a revolutionary new iniative: handing out two face masks to each family. That's right, two masks. Per family. Genius. Once again, Jon takes us on a journey through Japan's mask culture as it slowly adapts to the new pandemic. We've got reusuable masks, we've got DIY Masks, we've got mask spray, but the one thing we definitely d...
Apr 08, 2020•37 min
Its Japanese History for Gaijins. Ever wanted to learn about the history of Japan, but history books too boring? Well lets learn about Japan together!! This week we're looking at the lack of tranquillity in the era of peace and tranquillity! Two families are rising, two legendary families, with members who get awesome nicknames! The son of the God of War meets the Kanto region and catching Pokemon! What more could you want? Would you like to hear us talk about Japan some more? Find our podcast h...
Apr 07, 2020•18 min
Much ado about not much, really Corona Virus has everyone locked indoors across the globe, and as such we're all a little short on news to discuss. The beginning of the episode features a short update on Japan's ongoing response to Covid-19, for you to enjoy or skip at your leisure. Fortunately, the guys are not without any news for this podcast, thanks in part to a surprise mini-direct from Nintendo. As such, this episode will heavily feature Tom ranting and wildly speculating about Super Smash...
Apr 01, 2020•49 min
Its Japanese History for Gaijins. Ever wanted to learn about the history of Japan, but history books too boring? Well lets learn about Japan together in a lighthearted and fun way! This is episode 8, and we're continuing the Heian Era (HIan era, who knows? Not ME!) This time its magic and monks, with warrior women, and astrology, it's time that you found out if your bad luck is because your being stepped on by a god! Would you like to hear us talk about Japan some more? Find our podcast here: Sp...
Mar 31, 2020•15 min
Today brings a special edition of the Geeks & Gaijins Podcast, as we have our very first guest: Jardo!
Mar 25, 2020•56 min
Jon continues his new series all by himself! Its Japanese History for Gaijins. Ever wanted to learn about the history of Japan, but history books too boring? Always thought samurai weren't your style? Well lets learn about Japan together in a lighthearted and fun way! This is episode 7, and we're entering the Heian Period, the period of Peace and Tranquillity, so what better to talk about than civil wars, murderous plots, and the Emperor who can be polity termed a serial killer in the making. Al...
Mar 24, 2020•17 min
Welcome to... whatever this is. More and more people might be staying indoors due to Covid 19, but that's no concern for Jon! This week marks the launch of the latest release in the Animal Crossing Franchise: New Horizons, and he couldn't be happier. Truly there is nothing he enjoys more than escaping from reality for a few hours of indulging in his greatest fantasies: paying off a mortgage, maintaining a tidy garden, and having a handful of friends he talks to every day. Also in this episode, t...
Mar 18, 2020•35 min
Jon continues his new series all by himself! Its Japanese History for Gaijins. Ever wanted to learn about the history of Japan, but history books too boring? Always thought samurai weren't your style? Well lets learn about Japan together in a lighthearted and fun way! This is episode 6, and we're entering the Nara Period (and leaving the Nara Period not alot happens) What is exciting is playboy monks, tax evasion, sacred thunder deer and godzilla metaphors. So why not listen?
Mar 17, 2020•23 min
School's back in session! Despite Corona Virus' best efforts, nothing can stop the Japanese Education System from doing what it does best: mercilessly testing children. This week, Jon will once again be our guide through the ups and downs (mostly downs, to be honest) of Japanese High School Entrance Exams. It's also International Women's Day, so we will be including a short segment highlighting some important women in the male-dominated anime industry. Taking the topics of anime and high-school ...
Mar 11, 2020•45 min
Jon continues his new series all by himself! Its Japanese History for Gaijins. Ever wanted to learn about the history of Japan, but history books too boring? Always thought samurai weren't your style? Well lets learn about Japan together in a lighthearted and fun way! This is Episode five so lets get even deeper into religion! Yah!!!! Buddhism has come to Japan and political shenanigans are afoot! Who will dominate the Crown? The Nakitome, the Soga the Mononobe, or the Emperor himself (or hersel...
Mar 10, 2020•20 min
As panic sweeps the nation, one man steps forth to restore peace and order to the troubled island of Japan. His name is Shinzo Abe, and he's royally ****ed up. Corona Virus is still the topic of the week, as the Prime Minister's decision to close all the schools across Japan sends the entire country's education system - Jon included - into a confused and frustrated frenzy. Our long-suffering host brings the latest developments on the situation. Tom has had a much more enjoyable week, having gone...
Mar 04, 2020•39 min
Jon continues his new series all by himself! Its Japanese History for Gaijins. Ever wanted to learn about the history of Japan, but history books too boring? Always thought samurai weren't your style? Well lets learn about Japan together in a lighthearted and fun way! This is Episode four so it's time to work out what an emperor actually is... Along with a bunch of shennaigans in the early Imperial court. Get strapped in, its a challenging one! Would you like to hear us talk about Japan some mor...
Mar 04, 2020•20 min
Politics? In my weeb podcast? It's more likely than you think. In celebration of Emperor's Day, Jon tips his toes into the world of the Japanese Emperor, his place in Japan's politics, and just how wierd Japanese eras are. We'll also have the latest developments on the Corona Virus situation in Japan, as Jon once again underestimates the power of Japanese Bureaucracy. Stick around to the end to hear Tom's final verdict on the first season of Fire Force, and perhaps some tangents, poor attempts a...
Feb 26, 2020•36 min
Jon starts a new series all by himself! Its Japanese History for Gaijins. Ever wanted to learn about the history of Japan, but history books too boring? Always thought samurai weren't your style? Well lets learn about Japan together in a lighthearted and fun way! This is Episode three so it's time to delve into the complicated waters of ancient Japanese beliefs! This Episode is twenty minutes, but its got creation myths, impetuous males, confusing religion and a magic sword. What more do you nee...
Feb 25, 2020•21 min
Trouble in the East! A new contagion has emerged in the province in Wuhan, China! Government official scramble to contain the threat. The world quakes in fear as the news - and the virus itself - spreads. Could this Corona Virus be the new plague? Wading through the speculation, rumour, and heresay, one lone figure emerges to restore peace and sanity to the world once more. His name is Jon, and his prophetic declaration is: "Meh, I'll probably be fine." This week, the boys also discuss Japan's w...
Feb 19, 2020•42 min
Jon starts a new series all by himself! Its Japanese History for Gaijins. Ever wanted to learn about the history of Japan, but history books too boring? Always thought samurai weren't your style? Well lets learn about Japan together in a lighthearted and fun way! This is Episode two so it's time to learn about all those people before Japan as we knew it today! It's only twelve minutes so give it a listen and learn something fun today! Would you like to hear us talk about Japan some more? Find ou...
Feb 18, 2020•11 min
Love is in the air! This week's episode continues the Valentine's day tradition into the wonderful world of fiction. Today, Jon and Tom will be talking about shipping, and some of their favourite wholesome romances in anime. Leave the pitchforks and torches at home for this one, folks, we'll have no shipping wars here! This episode, we shake things up a little, and have Jon lead the anime review section for once. He'll be discussing not one, not three, but two whole movies from Studio Ghibli: My...
Feb 12, 2020•47 min
