This week on The Normal Nerds Podcast, we run the ultimate Weekly Anime Recap, breaking down 9 major anime episodes in one packed episode — covering action, lore, animation quality, power systems, character arcs, and some absolutely wild storytelling choices across the current anime season.

We kick things off with Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Episode 3, diving into the Culling Game rules, Tengen’s role, Kenjaku’s plan, and why this episode sparked backlash online despite being crucial to the story. Is JJK being unfairly criticized — or is the pacing actually an issue?

From there, we explore the return of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2, breaking down why this series continues to deliver emotional storytelling, elite animation, and worldbuilding that few modern anime can touch.

But this episode goes far beyond just two shows.

We also review and react to:

• Hell’s Paradise Season 2 and its brutal fights, Tao mechanics, and character consequences
• Fire Force Season 3 Part 2, including frustrations with animation quality and Adolla’s expanding influence
• Fate/strange Fake, with insane fights, Holy Grail War chaos, and Fate lore at full throttle
• My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, spotlighting quirk evolution, underground hero politics, and All Might’s presence

Along the way, we debate:

• Which anime are peaking right now
• Which shows are quietly slipping
• How animation quality affects storytelling
• Why some fandoms turn on episodes that focus on lore instead of fights

If you’re watching seasonal anime, catching weekly episodes, or deciding what’s actually worth your time, this episode is a full-season checkpoint with honest takes, deep dives, and zero filter.

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This week on the Normal Nerds Podcast, we break down one of the biggest anime weeks of the year in our weekly anime recap podcast.

We start with the My Hero Academia finale, closing the book on nearly 10 years of My Hero Academia anime. We discuss why the final episode worked emotionally, how Deku’s story wrapped up, standout character moments, and why this ending deserved way more hype across the anime community.

From there, we cover a packed lineup of current anime episodes:

• Spy x Family Season 3 delivers peak comedy and rising tension, with Yor, Yuri, and Loid caught between absurd misunderstandings and a serious espionage plot.
• One Punch Man Season 3 continues to disappoint with skipped fight scenes, poor animation choices, and changes that undercut the manga’s impact.
• Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider proves it’s one of the most underrated anime of the season, featuring a brutal tournament fight and excellent character development.
• May I Ask You One Final Thing? brings sharp action, humor, and an unforgettable after-credits scene.
• Gachiakuta Episode 23 slows the pace before setting up massive future storylines.
• And finally, One Piece Episode 1153 delivers an all-time great moment with Joy Boy, Conqueror’s Haki, and lore revelations that shake the entire series.

We dive into anime reviews, episode breakdowns, animation quality, storytelling payoffs, and the moments that should have broken the internet but somehow didn’t.

If you’re looking for a weekly anime podcast, anime episode reviews, or honest discussions on My Hero Academia, One Piece, Spy x Family, and seasonal anime, this episode is loaded from start to finish.

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This week on the Normal Nerds Podcast, Maxwell and Davis deliver a loaded Weekly Anime Recap.

They kick things off with My Hero Academia Season 8, Episode 9, talking Deku’s questionable haircut, Bakugo refusing to rest, and the Todoroki family’s heavy, emotional wrap-up—plus why Endeavor’s redemption hits harder than the fandom gives him credit for.

Next, the boys rave about Spy x Family Season 3, Episode 9 with Double Starlight Anya, Damien sprinting to her rescue, Becky’s chaos, Melinda’s unhinged emotional whiplash, and Anya’s ego skyrocketing into villain-cape territory.

Then they tear into One Punch Man Season 3, Episode 8—a rare episode with decent animation that STILL can’t save the season. Flashy Flash’s fight pops off, Kid Emperor is actually interesting, but the stiff faces and still frames keep dragging the whole show down.

From there, it’s pure hype with Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider Episode 9. Tojima lands the punch heard ’round the world, Rider Man goes feral, V3 gives respect where it’s due, and the show continues to be one of the season’s biggest surprises.

They follow it up with the comfy, consistently fun May I Ask You One Last Thing? Episode 10, featuring Scarlet punching monsters into paste, Julius shutting down betrayals instantly, dragon-guy simps going wild, and a war brewing in the background.

Then they officially consider dropping SANDA Episode 9, after another episode that leans way too hard into the bizarre. With the series’ tone spiraling and its creative lineage showing, they debate if it’s even worth continuing.

After the main block, they jump into two big highlights of the week:

• Gachiakuta Episode 21 delivers insane action as Bundus takes on multiple Cleaners at once, Rudo evolves his 3R into a railgun-level weapon, Zodyl reveals his real plan, and Noerde’s terrifying return sets up massive consequences.
• One Piece Episode 1151 goes OFF: Gear 5 Luffy returns, Bonney awakens a Nika-style form of her own, and the Iron Giant finally steps in—setting the stage for one of Egghead’s most explosive episodes yet.

If you’re into big analysis, big fights, and big laughs, this is one of the most packed recaps the guys have ever done.

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