Anime didn’t just entertain us — it raised us.

In Episode 15 of The Midnight Release Podcast, we’re diving deep into the worlds, characters, and stories that shaped a generation. Joined by Howie and Wayne, this episode blends nostalgia, culture, and real-life reflection as we explore how anime went from “not cool” to fully mainstream — and why its lessons still hit hard today.

From our first exposure through Toonami blocks to debating power levels, favorite series, and the life lessons hidden beneath the action, this is a full-on celebration of anime’s impact on who we are.

We also jump into recurring segments Now Loading (TRUE blind anime rankings) and Next Gen, where we break down the recent Dragon Ball pop-up event.

Press start — this one’s personal.

In this episode of Midnight Release, we crack open the binders and relive the heartbreak.

From Pokémon, Magic, Dragon Ball Z, and Naruto trading cards to modern TCGs like Fusion World, Gundam, and Riftbound, we dive headfirst into the world of trading cards — the ones we loved, the ones we ruined, and the collections we absolutely should not have sold.

We talk OG card shop culture, Toys “R” Us memories, card sleeves we definitely didn’t use, and how today’s market has been reshaped by scalpers, collabs, and chase culture.

Plus:

• A brand-new recurring segment Continue? where we talk about games sitting unfinished in our backlog
• The DLC Drop with upcoming releases you should have on your radar
• And a look ahead at next episode’s deep dive into anime, Toonami, and how it shaped a generation

Cut the deck — regret is part of the game.

In this special .5 collaboration episode of The Midnight Release, Chase sits down with Morgan from The Gaming Caffe to revisit one of gaming’s most defining eras: The Console Wars.

From heated playground debates to unforgettable midnight launches, we dive deep into the rivalries that shaped us — PlayStation vs Xbox vs Nintendo — and the games and consoles that defined entire generations. Morgan shares his personal experiences, favorite systems, and the titles that left a lasting impact, with a heavy focus on the PS2 / Xbox / GameCube era and the legendary Xbox 360 / PS3 / Wii generation.

We also look ahead to what’s coming next, including anticipated games of 2026, and reflect on how these console wars shaped not just gaming culture, but who we became as players.

Welcome to Player Two — pull up a chair.