Shows
Akira Slide PodcastIppo-Pa-Looza: The Akira Slide Boys Chat About "Hajime No Ippo: New Challenger " (2009)Much metaphorical ink has been spilled by the two of us regarding the Hajime No Ippo introductory series, "The Fighting!" When given a platform to focus on the sequel series, it becomes clear that we both have some complicated thoughts on these 26 episodes. But after a rewatch, we're both finding ourselves defending and even championing what the series does well- particularly the final fight between two hawks. Join us for a wide-ranging and joyful discussion about our favorite boxing series that focuses most of its energy on someone who's not the supposed "main" character.
00:00 - Do...2025-07-282h 10Akira Slide PodcastJolly and Rowlex's TV Talk (Severance, HIMYM) plus Jim Jones vs. NasWe're back with a non-anime episode with a special focus on TV shows and music! Jallah's getting into "Severance" on Apple+ and also brings us up to speed on a little trash talk by Jim Jones directed at future Akira Slide subject Nas. I'm just talkin' about a 1996 Metallica album that few people like and offering tiny little tangents here and there! It's a really fun time.
00:00 - Ippo-Pa-Looza Shoutout: Next week it’s “Rising” time!
01:43 - Rocky and other vintage trilogies
05:18 - “So, are you Chinese or Japanese?” King of the Hill ga...2025-07-211h 40Akira Slide PodcastIppo-Pa-Looza 2: The Greatest Fight in Anime History? ("Mashiba vs. Kimura" 2003 OVA)Hajime no Ippo: Mashiba vs Kimura (2003) is an OVA that takes place after the main series 'The Fighting' and it's my current favorite anime fight. It's a story about an underdog locking in and putting everything he can into one final clash before retirement. This story is an inspiration and a reminder that there are no losers when you try your absolute best to go to your limits and beyond.
00:00 Mashiba vs. Kimura
04:33 - The Risks of making Kimura a Protagonist
04:56 - Commentary by the Side-Characters
05:53 - Ippo & His N...2025-07-141h 02Akira Slide PodcastFLOP OR FLIP: 28 Years Later (Spoilers) + Bizarre YouTube Obsessions (winnie the pooh & mickey mouse horror, papa john psyops, and a Tiny Chef)00:00 - The Boys Play a Videogame… While Podcasting
03:04 - Some Akira Slide fans hate Hajime No Ippo…
03:59 - “Let It Happen” - Ichiro Miyata edit
07:10 - Google Lens Translations Scare Michael
08:51 - “28 YEARS Later” Review
16:00 - Akira Slide Film Discussion Criticism Addressed
17:54 - 28 Years Later: The Return
25:38 - It’s Like Raditz (Obligatory Dragonball Content)
31:04 - “When I look at him I just see Knuckles…” hypothetical foolishness
34:14 - Bad CGI = Goop
35:38 - Jallah: “Can I tell you something stupid?” - A TMNT TALE
37...2025-07-071h 58Akira Slide PodcastIppo-Pa-Looza introduction + Hajime No Ippo: Champion Road mini-review [Part 1]Hey Sliders! We're going to be talking about Ippo's post-The Fighting period. There's a lot to cover and we want to make sure each era gets its flowers, so each distinct project will be getting its own episode. The Ippo series will be bi-weekly and a miscellaneous/potpourri episode will come out between these reviews. Please check this episode out even if you're no Ippo hardcore fan, because our passion for the series might just inspire you to check it out.
00:00 - Whitney Houston, is that you?!
02:55 - Jallah’s Job Search, Sus vs...2025-06-301h 04Akira Slide PodcastDAN DA DAN: "Evil Eye" Theatrical Experience (Season 2, Episodes 1-3 Spoilers)00:00 Da Da Dan: Evil Eye Discussion/Review
50:50 - Michael’s media-enjoyment being ruined by “mini-spoilers” #deathbyathousandcuts
51:47 - Jack Black mini-discussion (Minecraft, Mario)
53:47 - Michael Felt Bad, Sat in Car
57:48 - Which Character do We Think We Are in HAJIME NO IPPO? :) (brief Weezer detour, sorry for this)
Episode edited by Michael D. Rowland
Follow us on Instagram and TikTok: @dermot.mn
Opening/Closing music by Stu Rosenberg
2025-06-231h 12Akira Slide PodcastMike Woke: An Hour of 2025 Film Talk & the Theatrical Experience of "Dan Da Dan: Evil Eye" (No Spoilers, Pt. 1)00:00 - We’re Goin’ Gray!
02:58 - Follow us on Instagram: @Dermot.mn
04:59 - K*ll Tony, Bill Burr
07:00 - “I saw this new woke”
08:45 - Pet Sounds ep Post-Show Discussion / Mike Woke
13:33 - Michael’s seen a lotta Movies! “Final Destination: Bloodlines”
19:04 - “Friendship” (starring Tim Robinson and Paul Rudd)
23:51 - “Hereditary” and “Rosemary’s Baby" detour
29:08 - “Bring Her Back”
32:56 - Mental Health Stories We Tell Ourselves
35:40 - Mike Woke (2)
36:49 - Going to Events More
41:05 - Preamble for “Dan Da Dan: Th...2025-06-171h 01Akira Slide PodcastBeach Boys - Pet Sounds (A "Whaddya Think of That?" Conversation)0:00 - Going to Anime Wallpaper websites
3:55 - The show begins in, well, earnest!
4:27 - Hajime No Ippo: The Fighting Soundtrack Discussion
5:36 - Beach Boys - Pet Sounds (Attempted Intro)
5:55 - Prince Rogers Nelson discussion
14:49 - Beach Boys Course-Correction (Kokomo)
15:41 - Weezer - Keep Fishin’ quick chat
17:11 - Whaddya Think of That: Beach Boys - Pet Sounds (1966)
32:09 - Mike Love Discussion
35:17 - Back to the “Pet Sounds”
39:28 - Switching From Historical to Musical Discussion
42:00 - Kanye West - Gradua...2025-06-091h 47Akira Slide PodcastMike Jallah is "Daddy Dearest!" (Originally Released: January 26, 2021)This week’s episode features new father Mike Jallah! Jallah and I go over the TOP 3 BEST MOMENTS OF (our respective) 2020(s). We also ask him to tell us the story of how he and his wife handled the ever-changing pandemic while raising a baby. Other topics covered: MAD MEN, Jallah’s intro to Talk Radio and how that led to him getting into podcasts, Michael and Jallah getting gray hair, and that period of time where human babies and puppies have the same amount of intelligence.
Intro music: "I Am a Map" by Dermot
O...2025-06-021h 42Akira Slide Podcast"Blue Giant" (2023) & Hajime No Ippo: The Fighting FINALE!0:00 - Oss/Osu
01:30 - No Beach Boys - Pet Sounds discussion this week.
01:45 - Michael finished Hajime No Ippo (season one)
06:22 - Jallah cracks open a Capri-Sun
08:45 - Shoutout to Jenny and her engagement news
09:55 - Jazz discussion + Flute “Inspector Gadget” Video (potential TikTok/IG Clip)
11:43 - “Blue Giant” Discussion… begins! (beginning potential TikTok/IG Clip)
44:00 - Should Jazz evolve or stay the same and potentially die? / Black Music History discussion
55:25 - Our Wish: Blue Giant - The Series
56:30 - Dangers in my Hear...2025-05-192h 06Akira Slide PodcastAI Robot Interrupts the SHOW?! (Dream Dual-Concerts, The Darkness - Dreams on Toast, Hajime No Ippo)00:00 - A Kendrick Lamar concert discussion by two people who did not go!
05:50 - We create dream “duo-concerts” in the style of Kendrick Lamar and SZA.
Artists/Bands discussed: Keane x Muse, The Beach Boys x The Beatles, Lupe Fiasco x Mos Def, Chappell Roan x Charli XCX
14:10 - Update on Recording the Guitar Solos for new Dermot album
20:58 - Tenacious D + Jack Black
24:57 - Nas’s explanation for why he chooses certain beats + “The Untitled” album review coming up
33:11 - People who "Don’t Like Music”
35:4...2025-05-121h 39Akira Slide Podcast"Y'all Got Any More of That Zilla?" + Jujutsu Kaisen Redemption...?Good morning! This week we talk about many fun things, such as:
00:00 - Jallah’s Wheelhouse - Blippi, The Wiggles, Mika
02:10 - Chica
04:10 - Jallah’s been watching Black Mirror
07:10 - Godzilla VR Game - Kaiju Wars
12:45 - Jujutsu Kaisen - Episode 8 Thoughts
23:20 - Jallah’s thoughts on the “Monster” anime
33:00 - The plan? To create an anime that speaks to femme-presenting folx
38:25 - Yet Another “Hajime No Ippo” discussion episodes 39 & 40 - Miyata’s Fights in Thailand
51:08 - Dragon Ball Daima Episode...2025-05-051h 15Akira Slide PodcastOur Favorite Anime/Manga of 2023! (The Unreleased "Akira Slide Podcast" Pilot)Hey Sliders.
Michael D here. This week's episode is an unreleased bonus episode from our Mad Men-themed podcast "THE DAD MEN DONCAST." I wanted to share this episode because it very much is the pilot for what became the Akira Slide Podcast.
-Recorded on January 6th, 2024
New year’s resolutions
Mike Jallah’s saxophone progress and why he just might be The Darksyde Phil of Saxophonists.
Michael’s having a moment and his stock is going up
Before they release episodes, Jallah and Michael are two kids pretending they have a podcast.
The slapp...2025-04-281h 18Akira Slide PodcastPoppy X Babymetal, Godzilla x Kong, Stupid x GoofyHere's some of the things discussed on this week's AKIRA SLIDE:
Jallah uses his platform to pressure someone who owes him a lunch
Poppy X Babymetal - From Me 2 U
Michael’s favorite scene in The Office (U.S.)
April Fool’s Pranks from 2025 (Fantano’s “Wiggles” review, Kaiji Season 3)
Blur vs. Oasis
"How One Man Revolutionized Music" - a Damon Albarn video essay (https://youtu.be/fWZ2FYcx1O4?si=-BlGhHjQN6vzBVAd)
Is Michael more of a funk guy or an alt-rock guy?
2025-04-2151 minAkira Slide Podcast"Kotaro Lives Alone" final thoughts, "Jujutsu Kaisen" skepticism, and Supporting Local Art @ Odd MartThe topics covered in this episode include the following:
Dave the Diver - Godzilla
Chloe Surgery Update
Jallah’s daughter went to the dentist
Why Michael R felt like “B Mic” this week
"Kotaro Lives Alone" - Final Thoughts
Jujutsu Kaisen - Episode 7 and why Michael was so unsatisfied
Hajime No Ippo: The Pride of a Japanese Boxer
Michael’s thoughts on Super Saiyan 4 Goku (Daima Version) and Beautiful Boys in Anime/Manga
Odd Mart, a local comics/zine/art/misc...2025-04-141h 02Akira Slide PodcastFlop or Flip: The Day the Earth Blew Up (Looney Tunes) & FlowThis episode includes discussion about the following:
Street Fighter 6
Michael’s continued running progress
Jallah’s entering the “Play with me!” era of parenting
The Joy of laughing with your parents
Flop or Flip: Looney Tunes - The Day the Earth Blew Up (2025)
Looney Tunes’ Cultural Resilience
Perfunctory “Space Jam” discussion
The Looney Tunes Show (2011) discussion
Coyote vs. Acme
Adolescence (Netflix)2025-04-071h 44Akira Slide PodcastPoppy's "Negative Spaces," "Blue Giant," and Hajime No Ippo: The Return!This episode includes the following:
- My sincere apology for mispronouncing Kotaro's name in our discussion of "Kotaro Lives Alone" last week.
- A life update re: my getting back into running and my dog's upcoming surgery.
- Jallah's recent struggles with his patience levels.
- A continuing discussion on Hajime No Ippo and how it conveys getting into a hobby, crafting boxing and personal strategy, and how it illustrates the path to healthy personal growth.
- Jujutsu Kaisen, and my initial thoughts on the first two episodes.2025-03-311h 55Akira Slide Podcast"Kotaro Lives Alone" & Lady Gaga's "Mayhem" album.We’ve created our wackiest, longest episode ever. First, I give Jallah the brutal news that Hajime No Ippo was removed from Crunchyroll… but it’s still on Netflix so it’s all good! And while I may be a subby, Ippo's dub may be growing on me. While I’ve been a bad anime fan, Jallah is getting into Netflix Original “Kotato Lives Alone,” a story about a 4 year old boy who rents an apartment and his neighbors become his friends and makeshift guardians. We also talk about the Domino’s ‘Viral Pizza,’ Jenette McCurdy’s book “I’m Glad My Mom Died,” some of...2025-03-241h 59Akira Slide PodcastSon Goku & His Fellow Adults! ("Dragon Ball Daima" Series Finale)Hi gang! This episode starts out heavy with a chat about "Happenstance vs. Coincidence" and the recent Buying Boycott that took place on social media. But it's not long before Jallah and I get to chatting about the series finale of Dragon Ball Daima. We craft an alternate ending, explain why Majin Kuu is the Goku of the demon realm, share some gripes, and explain why episode 19 is one of our favorite things in Dragon Ball. Try not to tear up at the end, I dare ya. Rest in peace, Akira Toriyama.
Opening/Closing music by...2025-03-171h 47Akira Slide PodcastFukumoto's Bleak Golf Manga + Super Sigh-Again for Dragon Ball Daima (ep.18 + Rant)Hey y'all. I've been reading Nikaidou Hell Golf, a recent manga from Nobuyuki Fukumoto, the creator of the much-loved Kaiji and Akagi gambling mangas. Jallah & I talk about this series, Fukumoto's potential inspiration for all his gambling mangas. Then, we get into a new interview with Akio Iyoku, the producer of Dragon Ball Daima, and the interesting production details revealed therein which explains the downsides of this anime. The entree of the episode is a review of Episode 18, which contains a brand-new... old... form for our friend Son Goku. Thanks for slidin!
Opening/Closing music b...2025-03-101h 00Akira Slide PodcastCryin' Kaiji & Dragon Ball Cryma (15-17)This episode starts off immediately on shaky ground with a precursory Star Wars discussion. We move on quickly to something even sadder: the recent episodes of Dragon Ball Daima, a show that left us feeling so much promise and joy. But I suppose a modern Dragon Ball story will always be a gamble... speaking of gambles, KAIJI! Kaiji is an anime series about a young man in severe debt who gets entrapped in the seedy world of undergound gambling. The show's art style is unique, the pathos is deeply textured, and the suffering is legendary even in Hell. It's...2025-03-031h 46Akira Slide PodcastSonic's Long Legs & Kendrick's Big ShotToday's episode is a special one- our first no-anime episode of the Akira Slide Podcast. Wow. We debut a new segment, "Flop or Flip" which is where we discuss new films we've seen and try to guess whether we liked them or not. This week, I saw Sonic 3 and Jallah saw Longlegs. Did we like these movies (flip over them, if you will) or did we not like them (or did we... flop over them)?
At the time this ep was recorded, Kendrick Lamar had just delivered a conversation-starting Half-Time Performance. Listen to today's episode to hear...2025-02-241h 12Akira Slide PodcastDelightfully Devilish! Double-Dads Discuss Dan Da Dan and Disappointing Daima! (eps 13 + 14)Hey kids, Michael here! This week's episode we thought we'd talk about something new - our coverage of "Dragon Ball Daima" continues with episodes 13-14 where we grapple with disappointment as it's becoming clear the show's vision and our hopes for it are not aligned. But Michael holds onto hope, cope, and the belief that Goku can defeat anything - even clumsy writing. The *centerpiece* is our discussion of the entire first season of "Dan Da Dan." This show honors the past, lights a beautiful path for the future, and Jallah and I both loved the show. But despite...2025-02-171h 44Akira Slide PodcastTHE FANDOM (Hajime No Ippo + Dragon Ball Daima 11+ 12)
This ep is a real corker. We begin with a revelation: My and Jallah’s perception of the Akira Slide podcast audience’s preference for subs vs. dubs. We finally got a chance to talk about Jallah's latest hyperfixation - Hajime No Ippo (2000). It's a boxing anime that will inspire you whether you're an athlete or not and we both have a lot to say about it. But before we get to it, we chat abou the latest (at the time of recording) Dragon Ball Daima episodes which offer a double-serving of lil' Vegeta and his new hairdo. I mean...2025-02-101h 38Akira Slide PodcastAkira Slide's Favorite Things of 2024! (Pt. 2)Welcome back! We finish the year and our lists strong as I get a chance to talk about why 2024 Pop Music belonged to women. Jallah also gets to chat about seeing a once-in-a-lifetime event at the Kendrick Lamar Pop-Out Show in Los Angeles. Most importantly, we both show how much we've learned and grown from 2024 and why (for one of us) they had to recently undergo a Rocky/Hajime No Ippo style training arc. Thanks for listening and keep tuned, because 2025 is going to be slidetastic. Love y'all!
Follow us on Instagram and TikTok: @akiraslidepodcast
...2025-02-031h 31Akira Slide PodcastAkira Slide's Favorite Things of 2024!As Jallah and I recorded this episode on New Year's Eve Eve, we felt the desire to wax nostalgic and remember our favorite things from a huge year. These lists include personal news as well as Films, Music, and YouTube Clips. You'll have to listen to find out which one of us paid off all his consumer debt, who had a meaningful trip to the MN Zoo and where the Akira Slide podcast slides on the Kendrick vs. Drake battle. To be continued in Part Two...
Jallah: Kendrick & Drake Beef.
"Interstellar" (2014) film Re-Release....2025-01-271h 42Akira Slide PodcastGodzilla Minus OneAnyone who knows me knows i love Godziller. Godzilla Minus One is the most recent entry in the Japanese series featuring the giant lizard and is its first Academy Award Winner for Best Visual Effects. This film's word-of-mouth and box office success alike led to a re-release in theaters in December 2024. I took Jallah as my Godzilla Plus One since this is a film best experienced on the largest screen possible. How does a longtime fan like me enjoy this movie's more dramatic and intimate acting? What did Jallah think of his first full-length Godzilla experience? Is Takashi Yamazaki...2025-01-201h 02Akira Slide PodcastDragon Ball Daima (Episodes 1 - 10)This week we're covering the newest installment of a favorite series of mine - the Dragon Ball franchise! "Dragon Ball Daima" is an animated tale set between the Majin Buu arc and the end of the original manga/story. Due to nefarious actions by Gomah, an impish demon king, our heroes get transformed into children. It's up to Goku, Kaioshin, and his Little Friends new(!) and old to save Earth's guardian so they can become adults again... but in facing such insurmountable odds, will they live to fight another day. Of course they will, or "Dragon Ball Super" can't...2025-01-131h 45Akira Slide PodcastWhat is "The Akira Slide" and Who are "We?"In our inaugural episode, we seek to answer the following questions: Who are Michael Jallah and Michael D. Rowland and how did they meet? What was it like growing up in the 1990s, when Anime was still called "Japanimation" and went from a truly niche prospect to a now-Mainstream pop cultural juggernaut? What the hell is "Samurai Pizza Cats? How do people actually enjoy the Live-Action Sonic movies?
Opening/Closing music by Stu Rosenberg.
Follow us on Instagram and TikTok: @AkiraSlidePodcast.
Edited by Michael D. Rowland.
...2025-01-0656 min