Matthew Fox and Riki Hayashi explore the profound philosophical themes and controversial endings of the influential anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion. From its groundbreaking original TV finale to the theatrical response film The End of Evangelion, we unpack how creator Hideaki Anno's personal struggles with depression shaped one of anime's most…

Drew Maxey, (drewxdeficit on Twitter and TikTok) joins Riki and Matthew to discuss the political messaging of Watchmen, what it means for us today, and why it is so often misunderstood. We talk about the valorization by many fans of Rorschach that misses so much of his character, how the movie changed things, and Ozymandias’ decision, among other t…

REBROADCAST: Space: The Final Frontier. This concept has been integral to America's self-identity, symbolizing exploration and adventure—and the myriad issues arising from the perception of "undiscovered country" as land untouched by white man. Professor Matthew Wilhelm Kapell joins Paul and me to discuss the significance of the frontier and how St…

Special Guest Paul Hoppe joins Riki and Matthew to explore the intersection of professional sports, fandom, and ethics, what makes us care deeply about "25 people playing with a ball hundreds of miles away."The conversation delves into fundamental questions about sports' role in society: Can athletics be a force for positive social change, as seen …

Matthew Fox and Riki Hayashi explore the fascinating world of Terminator: Zero, a new anime series that breathes fresh life into the iconic Terminator franchise and challenges our perceptions of AI, time travel, and the very essence of humanity.Is Skynet truly the villain, or are humans the real threat? Matthew and Riki dissect the show's central p…

The Horror of Being Human: Mike Flanagan's Masterful Approach to TerrorPrepare to be thrilled and chilled as we dive into the eerie world of Mike Flanagan's horror masterpieces! Join hosts Matthew Fox and Riki Hayashi, along with returning guest Danielle, aka (WrittenintheSW).What makes Mike Flanagan's horror so uniquely captivating? We explore how…

Matthew Fox and Riki Hayashi dive into the legacy of James Earl Jones and explore the evolving role of AI in creative media. From the iconic voice of Darth Vader to the ethical implications of AI-generated performances, this episode tackles pressing questions at the intersection of technology and entertainment.Note: given its relevance to both podc…

As season 2 of Rings of Power comes out, we wanted to end our hiatus rebroadcasts by bringing by our discussion of season 1 of this show based in J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings world! We’ve started the conversation. Now we want to hear from you!Want to continue the discussion with us? Agree or disagree with what we talked about, or add your own…

With so much talk about Batman and Caped Crusader, this seemed a great time to rebroadcast our memorial episode for one of the most iconic performances of a DC Character: Kevin Conroy and his version of Batman. Jessica Plummer and Paul Hoppe join me to honor the memory of Kevin Conroy, whose voice acting brought Batman to life for generations of fa…

As part of our September hiatus, please enjoy this rebroadcast of a favorite episode. Are "kids' movies" really just for children? Host Matthew Fox and guest Paul Hoppe dive deep into two animated blockbusters - "Raya and the Last Dragon" and "Luca" - to uncover the profound themes and allegories hidden beneath their family-friendly veneer.How can …

Week 1 of Hiatus, and after our recent discussion of Batman: The Caped Crusader, we wanted to take you back to an earlier Batman discussion. In this episode, Paul joins me to talk about Batman: The Long Halloween, an animated movie based on the comics run of the same name.Paul Christopher Hoppe, also known as ZenMadman, is a writer, teacher, and st…

In this episode, we continue our deep dive into Batman: Caped Crusader with guest Paul Hoppe. Join us as we explore the gritty world of Gotham and unpack the complex characters that inhabit it.We kick things off by examining the show's unique setting. How does Batman: Caped Crusader blend noir aesthetics with modern sensibilities? We discuss the ad…

Dive into the mind-bending world of Neon Genesis Evangelion with hosts Matthew Fox and Riki Hayashi. Unravel the complex themes and iconic characters that have made this 1995 anime a cultural phenomenon and a cornerstone of the mecha genre.What makes Neon Genesis Evangelion stand out from other mecha anime? Our hosts explore the show's unique appro…

Holy ethical dilemmas, Batman! Matthew Fox and Paul Hoppe dive deep into the dark alleys of Gotham City to explore the complex morality of Batman: Caped Crusader. This animated series breathes new life into classic characters while tackling timeless questions of justice, vengeance, and what it means to be a hero. Bonus member content on Harleen Qui…

Hosts Matthew Fox and Riki Hayashi dive deep into the fascinating world of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes and the entire Planet of the Apes franchise. They explore how this groundbreaking series tackles complex themes of culture, society, religion, and language evolution in a post-human world. The hosts begin by discussing the franchise's unique…

Matthew Fox sits down with former co-host and professional poker player Paul Hoppe to explore the fascinating intersection of poker, probability, and life lessons. Dive into a thought-provoking discussion that will change how you view chance, decision-making, and the art of reading the odds.How can poker improve our understanding of probability in …

In this episode of Superhero Ethics, hosts Matthew Fox and Riki Hayashi are joined by Paul Hoppe to dive into the first part of Cobra Kai, Season 6. The trio unpacks the latest developments in the Karate Kid universe, exploring the show's strengths, weaknesses, and cultural implications.Is Cobra Kai staying true to its roots or losing its way? The …

Matthew Fox & Riki Hayashi dive into the complex question: When should heroes hang up their capes? From aging superheroes to evolving responsibilities, we unpack the ethical considerations behind a hero's decision to retire. Our hosts explore the delicate balance between personal desires and societal expectations. Should heroes be discouraged from …

“I mean, who doesn’t date a mermaid in college?”Superman and Lois Lane: The Heart of My Adventures with SupermanIn this episode of the Superhero Ethics podcast, hosts Matthew Fox and Riki Hayashi are joined by Superman expert Jessica Plummer to dive deep into the animated series My Adventures with Superman. The trio explores how this fresh take on …

The stories we love often involve teen and younger kids jumping into a mech suit, picking up a lightsaber, or using their superpowers to fight for justice, sometimes quite literally going to war. Yet in our own world, we generally recognize that using children to fight wars or enforce justice through violence is wrong, dangerous, and incredibly har…

Friend of the Pod and media analyst extraordinaire Danielle WrittenintheStarWars joins us to talk about some of the deeper themes from House of the Dragon, Season 2, Episodes 1-2.With member bonus content on the upcoming book and movie in The Hunger Games series, Sunrise on the Reaping. Click the link below to become a member for only $5 a month or…

Matthew Fox and Riki Hayashi dive deep into the 2016 Japanese film Shin Godzilla. They explore how this installment in the iconic Godzilla franchise serves as a powerful metaphor for the devastating Fukushima Nuclear Accident of 2011. Join them as they unravel the layers of social commentary and critique woven throughout the film.Key Points: How do…

We love to see the heroes overthrow the evil king/ruler/government/corporation. But what happens next? Riki and Matthew dive into those questions. From Avatar: The Last Airbender to Star Wars, they examine the challenges and moral dilemmas that arise when it's time to rebuild society and create a new order.Key Points: How do we deal with the defeat…

In this thought-provoking episode of Superhero Ethics, hosts Matthew Fox and Riki Hayashi dive deep into the question of why heroes become villains and where the responsibility lies when they fall. Using examples from Star Wars, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Matthew and Riki examine the complex factors that can lead…

Matthew Fox and Riki Hayashi are joined by Will Freeland and Steve Stormoen from the Hype Is My Superpower podcast to dive deep into the complex themes and character arcs of X-Men ‘97. The animated series revival has reignited discussions about tolerance, activism, and the challenges of retiring from the superhero life.The conversation kicks off wi…