We discuss our spoiler-free Winter 2026 anime first impressions. The new year is coming in strong with great shows, including several solid romance anime. We share our thoughts on the final season of Golden Kamuy, why Hana-Kimi isn’t living up to expectations, whether the title Tamon’s B-Side makes sense to younger generations, and much more.

While you’re listening to this episode, why not pair it up with a delicious snack from a #TokyoTreat box? Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first box: https://team.tokyotreat.com/strictlyanime

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We review the third season of Spy x Family. We’ve been wanting this anime to give us something substantial to the plot, and did this season deliver? Sort of. We discuss impacts to relationships, Loid’s backstory, Yor’s struggle to find normalcy, and whether the status quo really changed by the end of this season.

While you’re listening to this episode, why not pair it up with a delicious snack from a #TokyoTreat box? Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first box: https://team.tokyotreat.com/strictlyanime

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We review the final season of My Hero Academia. It’s the end of another era in anime as one of the biggest shonen series in recent years comes to an end. We discuss the climactic fight, whether or not the ending was satisfying, and Courtney shares her final thesis on Bakugo.

Japanese title: Boku no Hero Academia

While you’re listening to this episode, why not pair it up with a delicious snack from a #TokyoTreat box? Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first box: https://team.tokyotreat.com/strictlyanime

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We close out the year with the best and worst of 2025 anime! With all of its highs and lows, this past year was a rollercoaster for the anime community. We reflect on what anime had to offer us in 2025 by sharing our picks for categories like waifu and husbando, animation, story, and many more!

While you’re listening to this episode, why not pair it up with a delicious snack from a #TokyoTreat box? Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first box: https://team.tokyotreat.com/strictlyanime

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We share our favorite anime openings and endings from 2025. One of our favorite episodes returns for another year of vibes (which we can’t stop saying this episode). Join us as we share our OP and ED picks, as well as the ones chosen by our patrons and listeners!

While you’re listening to this episode, why not pair it up with a delicious snack from a #TokyoTreat box? Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first box: https://team.tokyotreat.com/strictlyanime

Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/4Rnq4GTePP Support the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/thestrictlyseries Website: https://www.thestrictlyseries.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestrictlyseries X (Twitter): https://x.com/strictlyseries Part of The Strictly Series of podcasts

We review the first season of The Summer Hikaru Died. It’s not often we get a horror anime that’s actually scary, and this one hits the mark while also delivering a great mystery. We discuss the scary moments that got us, the romantic subtext, and the slowly unraveling lore about the town.

Japnese title: Hikaru ga Shinda Natsu

While you’re listening to this episode, why not pair it up with a delicious snack from a #TokyoTreat box? Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first box: https://team.tokyotreat.com/strictlyanime

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We review the first half of Gachiakuta season one. This is an anime about trash that isn’t trash, and it’s a wild ride filled with over-the-top facial expressions. We discuss the comedic moments, the teenage angst, and the concept of “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”

While you’re listening to this episode, why not pair it up with a delicious snack from a #TokyoTreat box? Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first box: https://team.tokyotreat.com/strictlyanime

Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/4Rnq4GTePP Support the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/thestrictlyseries Website: https://www.thestrictlyseries.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestrictlyseries X (Twitter): https://x.com/strictlyseries Part of The Strictly Series of podcasts

We review the second season of Kaiju No. 8. The beloved millennial Kafka is back, and this time he’s gearing up for the big fight. We discuss similarities to other anime, the OVA, good anime dads, and the cliffhanger ending to the season.

Japanese title: Kaijuu 8-gou

While you’re listening to this episode, why not pair it up with a delicious snack from a #TokyoTreat box? Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first box: https://team.tokyotreat.com/strictlyanime

Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/4Rnq4GTePP Support the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/thestrictlyseries Website: https://www.thestrictlyseries.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestrictlyseries X (Twitter): https://x.com/strictlyseries Part of The Strictly Series of podcasts