Episode 310 - Angel’s Egg
This week, Not A Bomb slows things down for a very different kind of Ani‑MAY‑e pick. The hosts dive into Angel’s Egg, Mamoru Oshii’s 1985 avant‑gothic meditation on faith, memory, and meaning. If last week was all speed and neon, this film is pure atmosphere, built from quiet moments, stark imagery, and a story that refuses to explain itself.
The episode sets the stage by exploring the film’s unusual production history, its cult reputation, and why it remains one of the most debated works in anime. Troy and Brad talk about how Angel’s Egg abandons traditional narrative structure in favor of mood and symbolism, creating a viewing experience that lingers long after the credits roll.
They are joined once again by Mr. Korean Kool, John from the YouTube podcast And Now For Something A Little Bit Different. Few films invite deep discussion like this one, and the trio goes long, stretching the conversation well past the film’s 71‑minute runtime. Together they unpack themes, imagery, and interpretations while debating whether the film is a masterpiece, a puzzle, or something in between.
Want to support the show? Check out the Not A Bomb TeePublic store for merch, featuring designs by Ted Blair.
We’d love to hear from you—send your feedback, suggestions, or film recommendations to NotABombPod@gmail.com or through our contact page. If you enjoy the show, consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Cast: Brad, Troy
Guest: John
Episode 309 - Redline (2009)
For this installment of Not A Bomb’s Ani‑MAY‑e celebration, the hosts floor it into Redline — the 2009 hand‑drawn fever dream that treats racing like ritual and animation like pure adrenaline. What reads like a simple, neon‑soaked contest on the surface quickly reveals itself as an all‑out sensory sprint: outrageous vehicle designs, frame‑heavy animation that refuses to idle, and a world where every overtake feels like a declaration. The episode opens by putting Redline in context, its famously long production, cult ascent, and why it still feels like a film that was built to be watched at full throttle.
Troy and Brad take turns unpacking whether Redline works better as an entry point for newcomers or as a reward for longtime anime fans. Is the film’s thin plot a barrier or a feature? The hosts argue it’s intentional: Redline isn’t trying to teach you the rules of its universe so much as strap you in and let the visuals do the talking. That said, they also note moments where the parade of eccentric racers and one‑off set pieces can feel like a dizzying pit lane for viewers who prefer a map.
The gang is happy to welcome back, Mr. Korean Kool - John from the YouTube podcast - And Now For Something A Little Bit Different.
Want to support the show? Check out the Not A Bomb TeePublic store for merch, featuring designs by Ted Blair.
We’d love to hear from you—send your feedback, suggestions, or film recommendations to NotABombPod@gmail.com or through our contact page. If you enjoy the show, consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Cast: Brad, Troy
Guest: John
For this installment of Not A Bomb’s Ani‑MAY‑e celebration, the hosts floor it into Redline — the 2009 hand‑drawn fever dream that treats racing like ritual and animation like pure adrenaline. What reads like a simple, neon‑soaked contest on the surface quickly reveals itself as an all‑out sensory sprint: outrageous vehicle designs, frame‑heavy animation that refuses to idle, and a world where every overtake feels like a declaration. The episode opens by putting Redline in context, its famously long production, cult ascent, and why it still feels like a film that was built to be watched at full throttle.
Troy and Brad take turns unpacking whether Redline works better as an entry point for newcomers or as a reward for longtime anime fans. Is the film’s thin plot a barrier or a feature? The hosts argue it’s intentional: Redline isn’t trying to teach you the rules of its universe so much as strap you in and let the visuals do the talking. That said, they also note moments where the parade of eccentric racers and one‑off set pieces can feel like a dizzying pit lane for viewers who prefer a map.
The gang is happy to welcome back, Mr. Korean Kool - John from the YouTube podcast - And Now For Something A Little Bit Different.
Want to support the show? Check out the Not A Bomb TeePublic store for merch, featuring designs by Ted Blair.
We’d love to hear from you—send your feedback, suggestions, or film recommendations to NotABombPod@gmail.com or through our contact page. If you enjoy the show, consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Cast: Brad, Troy
Guest: John
Episode 307 - Paprika
For this installment of Not A Bomb’s “Ani-MAY-e” celebration, the hosts step into the surreal dreamscape of Paprika, Satoshi Kon’s mind-bending animated thriller that continues to blur the line between fantasy and reality nearly two decades after its release. What begins as a psychological mystery quickly spirals into a dazzling exploration of identity, technology, and the fragile barrier between the waking world and the subconscious mind.
The hosts unpack how Paprika weaponizes dream logic to create an intentionally disorienting experience, where transitions between scenes, locations, and even characters occur without warning. They dig into the film’s central conflict between dreams and reality, exploring how the DC Mini device transforms private thoughts into dangerous shared spaces where control, repression, and desire collide. The conversation also highlights how the film questions whether reality itself is any more stable or coherent than the dreams invading it.
There’s plenty of discussion about the film’s unforgettable imagery, from the chaotic parade sequences to the constantly shifting environments that refuse to obey conventional storytelling rules. The hosts examine how Satoshi Kon uses animation as a storytelling tool that could never be replicated in live action, creating scenes that feel simultaneously beautiful, unsettling, and emotionally overwhelming.
Want to support the show? Check out the Not A Bomb TeePublic store for merch, featuring designs by Ted Blair.
We’d love to hear from you—send your feedback, suggestions, or film recommendations to NotABombPod@gmail.com or through our contact page. If you enjoy the show, consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Cast: Brad, Troy
For this installment of Not A Bomb’s “Ani-MAY-e” celebration, the hosts step into the surreal dreamscape of Paprika, Satoshi Kon’s mind-bending animated thriller that continues to blur the line between fantasy and reality nearly two decades after its release. What begins as a psychological mystery quickly spirals into a dazzling exploration of identity, technology, and the fragile barrier between the waking world and the subconscious mind.
The hosts unpack how Paprika weaponizes dream logic to create an intentionally disorienting experience, where transitions between scenes, locations, and even characters occur without warning. They dig into the film’s central conflict between dreams and reality, exploring how the DC Mini device transforms private thoughts into dangerous shared spaces where control, repression, and desire collide. The conversation also highlights how the film questions whether reality itself is any more stable or coherent than the dreams invading it.
There’s plenty of discussion about the film’s unforgettable imagery, from the chaotic parade sequences to the constantly shifting environments that refuse to obey conventional storytelling rules. The hosts examine how Satoshi Kon uses animation as a storytelling tool that could never be replicated in live action, creating scenes that feel simultaneously beautiful, unsettling, and emotionally overwhelming.
Want to support the show? Check out the Not A Bomb TeePublic store for merch, featuring designs by Ted Blair.
We’d love to hear from you—send your feedback, suggestions, or film recommendations to NotABombPod@gmail.com or through our contact page. If you enjoy the show, consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Cast: Brad, Troy