The Anime Effect

LEGO Dragon Ball is officially happening! The Anime Effect breaks down Goku’s first brick kit featuring Shenron!

PLUS, actress Megan Lawless joins the show to talk about Obsession, Demon Slayer, and how anime is inspiring her new era. We also break down the latest anime news, including Naruto’s big anime teaser and Japan’s massive Pokémon x Starbucks collab.

This week on The Anime Effect:

⭐ LEGO Dragon Ball, Shenron & Goku

⭐ Megan Lawless joins the show

⭐ The Apothecary Diaries Season 3

⭐ Pokémon x Starbucks Japan

Which anime needs a LEGO treatment ASAP? Send us your anime questions, hot takes, and recommendations:

https://got.cr/AnimeEffectQuestions](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

Crunchyroll’s Fall 2026 anime lineup is officially here! We’re breaking down the biggest new and returning anime of the season, including Black Clover Season 2, The Apothecary Diaries Season 3, Aoashi Season 2, Magic Knight Rayearth, Firefly Wedding, Overgeared, PSYREN, and more.Plus, Michael B. Jordan reveals his anime ambitions, and The Anime Effect launches its Anime Apology Tour by revisiting the AWFUL takes we once defended with our lives.This week on The Anime Effect:⭐ Crunchyroll’s Fall 2026 anime lineup⭐ Michael B. Jordan’s anime ambitions⭐ Confessing our worst anime takesWhat anime take of yours aged the worst? Send 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 Solorzano
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jacob Batalon joins The Anime Effect this week to talk Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Solo Leveling, Naruto, isekai dreams, and the pop culture that prepared him to play Ned Leeds in the MCU.Plus! We break down the wild idea that Pokémon cards will one day become currency, the new Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake, and more!This week on The Anime Effect:⭐ Jacob Batalon joins the show⭐ We redeem our favorite anime villains⭐ Pokémon cards as currency??⭐ The Legend of Zelda remake reactionsWhich anime do you consider required viewing? Send 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

Kenny Omega joins The Anime Effect to talk anime, wrestling, and the Japanese pop culture that shaped his career. From Astro Boy to Hajime no Ippo and My Hero Academia, the AEW star isn't shy about his fandoms!PLUS, we celebrate Attack on Titan Day, break down The Apothecary Diaries live-action series, and size up Crocs' new Yu-Gi-Oh! collection!

This week on The Anime Effect:⭐ Kenny Omega joins the show⭐ Attack on Titan Day celebrations begin: https://got.cr/AOTDay⭐ The Apothecary Diaries' new show: https://got.cr/TADLiveActionSeries⭐ Yu-Gi-Oh! Crocs & Pokémon Blu-ray arrivals: https://got.cr/YGOCrocs

What We're Watching:

⭐ Dragon Ball Super: Broly

⭐ Attack on Titan

⭐ Akira

Which other anime need their own holiday? 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

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