In the latest episode of Heroic Purgatory: An Asian Cinema Podcast, John and Jason move to the countryside for a friendly chat with magical owls and bus-sized orange cats. That's right, we are covering My Neighbor Totoro, the 1988 Hayao Miyazaki film who's titular character became the logo for the newly minted Studio Ghibli. Though often viewed as a "children" film, Totoro is not all about laughs and cuddles. We discuss the more tragical underpinnings of the story and how it reflects the ambivalent Japanese society of Miyazaki's youth.

Enjoy!

Website: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2026/06/s6e6-my-neighbor-totoro-1988.html

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In the latest episode of Heroic Purgatory: An Asian Cinema Podcast, John and Jason get sassy in South Korea with the 2001 romantic comedy, My Sassy Girl. A critical darling of the early 21st century, the film has been somewhat forgotten or relegated as a curio of a different era in Korean cinema . Does it still hold up? We discuss how the film's comedy and romance may or may not have aged, and whether it should regain its place in the list of the the best Korean films ever made.

Website: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2026/05/s6e5-my-sassy-girl-2001.html

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In this episode of Heroic Purgatory: An Asian Cinema Podcast, John and Jason talk about arguably the best Taiwanese film ever made, Edward Yang's Yi Yi. While tackling existential alienation of in the face of modernity, the film explores the complex dynamics of a 21st century family, their screw ups, past regrets, and above all, their need for connection.

Website: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2026/05/s6e4-yi-yi-2000.html

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