Bibliographic Information:
Title: Volume One
Producers/Hosts: Josh Michaels, Mehgan Perine and Cody Dekker
Copyright Date: September 2020
Interest Level: 13+ (based on rating of material covered)
Genre / Format: Anime / Manga Podcast
Awards or Honors: None as of the publication of this post.
Producer / Host Background: Josh Michaels is the main host of Volume One and is supported by cohosts Meghan Perine and Cody Dekker. All three are huge fans of both anime and manga, often discovering new shows through their work on Volume One. Meghan Perine also has acting experience, starring in Know Your Special (2020), Maps (2020), and Nevaeh (2019) (IMDB, n.d.).
Show Summary: Volume One is a weekly podcast that covers anime and manga. The show was initially conceived as manga podcast that would cover the first volume of a manga series. The show focuses mainly on manga but the hosts will regularly discuss the anime adaptations of these works. Josh will take lead in discussing a series and serves as a facilitator as all three hosts argue and discuss a title. The show focuses on new titles but will occasionally review older, popular works as well and discussing their all time favorite titles.
Critical Evaluation for Books and Non-Print Items: Volume One has created a community for manga and anime fans to discuss their shared interests and best of all, discover something new! You can enjoy this podcast in a variety of platforms including Apple Podcasts, Podtail, and YouTube. The video format uploaded to YouTube has the added benefit of interacting with other viewers live AND you get to appreciate everyone's awesome, anime-inspired style. Overall, this is a great podcast for teens as it provides opportunity for them to take part in the discussion as they discover new titles they can enjoy. The podcast is entertaining and it supports literacy by celebrating manga and anime. For fans, this is such an informative and entertaining podcast!
Creative Use for a Library Program: The library will provide audio and sound equipment for the production of a podcast. Microphones, headphones, and a computer with sound editing and mixing software will be made available for teens to start recording a podcast on their choice. Staff will assist in the writing and teach teens how to use the editing software. Teens will have the opportunity to upload their finished product online.
Speed-Round Book Talk or Short Book Trailer: Are you an anime fan? Looking for the next manga to read? Tune in to Volume One Podcaast, where hosts Josh, Mehgan, and Cody will discuss anime and manga. They explore the first volume of a series and argue: was it good? Bad? Has it been done before in a better way? Was the anime better? Come join the conversation and discover something new!
Potential Challenge Issues and Defense Preparation: There's a long history of anime and manga being challenged by concerned parents. Some take issue with they style and seeming "objectification" of female characters and have asked librarians to remove titles from the shelves.
For concerned parents, I would remind them that they are ultimately the ones that need to have a conversation with their children but that materials would not be removed unless they go through our formal challenge process. I would also remind the parent that much of this is stylized and that if they take the time to actually read the book, they would find stories with positive message. People should avoid judging books by their covers as they miss out on many amazing stories.
Reason for Inclusion: Anime and manga are formats and styles that are incredibly popular with young people. This podcast is full of material that young anime/manga fans will find not only relevant and entertaining, but educational as well. This is an entertaining way to discover new series and continue to read more manga! This feel-good show is a one big celebration of stories told through anime and manga. Volume One's YouTube page also has the added bonus of having a platform for fans to discuss and participate in live streams through the comment section.
Enhancements
Check out all Volume One Podcasts HERE.
Check out the Volume One's YouTube page HERE.