It’s been well documented (and you’ve probably experienced the same) that we live in a now culture, where we not only desire instant gratification but become upset if we have to wait. This idea can extend to God, whom we treat as our servant or a genie, becoming little Umaru-chans, expecting our desires to be fulfilled this instant. Scripture expresses, however, that waiting on the Lord is wise, and failing to do so may lead to calamity. Join Mike this week as he shares these thoughts and much more on episode nine of The Power of God and Anime podcast!

Anime Trivia!

In the anime Gate Keepers, Ruriko Ikusawa has the ability to heal using her gate. What is her gate called?

Podcast Notes

• Today’s episode was brought to you by Goddess Aqua’s Herbal Tea!
• Mike is headed to watch My Hero Academia: You’re Next tomorrow! Are you planning to watch the movie, too?
• Nickel City Comic Con‘s fall edition is this weekend. If you’re attending, you might run into Mike!
• In today’s Songs That Tell the Story, Mike sings “While I Wait” by Lincoln Brewster.
• Bible verses we mentioned or that inspired discussion in this episode include Psalms 27:14, I Samuel 13:8-9, and Romans 4:18-20.
• Check out more from Mike on YouTube!

You can subscribe and listen to us on a variety of platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud, Amazon Music, and others. Please subscribe and leave us a review!

Featuring copyright-free music (license code 9OFBY6IDSRWODYKF) from Uppbeat (“Funk Tank by Soudnroll), and edited by Dennis.

Contrary to scripture, a lot of Christian arguments conversations these days—including among believers—totally lack in humility. What’s the answer? Examples from the life of the Old Testament King Uzziah and everyone’s favorite demon slayer, Tanjirou, show us the way. Come listen in as Mike explains and also talks about his recent major live events involving Clue, cars, and college football on episode eight of The Power of God and Anime Podcast!

Anime Trivia!

In the anime Eyeshield 21, what is the name of the Devil Bats’ tight end?

Podcast Notes

• In today’s Songs That Tell the Story, Mike sings “In Christ Alone” by Michael English.
• Bible verses we mentioned or that inspired discussion in this episode include Galatians 6:1, Ephesians 4:2, II Chronicles 26:16-19, Proverbs 3:5, and I Corinthians 1:31.
• Check out more from Mike on YouTube!

You can subscribe and listen to us on a variety of platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud, Amazon Music, and others. Please subscribe and leave us a review!

Featuring copyright-free music (license code 9OFBY6IDSRWODYKF) from Uppbeat (“Funk Tank by Soudnroll), and edited by Dennis.

Do you sometimes feel discouraged, as if you’re not good enough to accomplish the big things you’d like to? Mike’s been there. So have some of the heroes of the Bible, including Moses and Gideon. And…maybe Sailor Moon’s Usagi Tsukino, too? Well, she at least serves as an example of someone who does incredible things despite her shortcomings—and God is able to do the same with us as well. Join Mike today as he chats about this topic, along with thoughts on Yakuza 4, on episode seven of The Power of God and Anime Podcast!

Anime Trivia!

In Demon Slayer, the Hashira Tengen has three wives. What are their names?

Podcast Notes

• Would you to see Mike live stream or do a Let’s Play of Yakuza O? Tweet or message him on Instagram to let him know!
• In today’s Songs That Tell the Story, Mike sings “Nobody” by Casting Crowns.
• Bible verses we mentioned or that inspired discussion in this episode include Exodus 4:11-12, Judges 6:15-16, 1 Samuel 16:7, and 1 Corinthians 12:14-21.
• Check out more from Mike on YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram!

You can subscribe and listen to us on a variety of platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud, Amazon Music, and others. Please subscribe and leave us a review!

Featuring copyright-free music (license code 9OFBY6IDSRWODYKF) from Uppbeat (“Funk Tank by Soudnroll), and edited by Dennis.

We all struggle with temptation. But the rub isn’t simply in being tempted, but in how we react to temptation. Mike looks to Konosuba and Beast Tamer for very different reactions to sexual temptation, and then to the Bible to see how we should respond in any tempting situation. Plus, he gives his real anime origin story (it involves being a Soul Reaper…of sorts), talks about Cassandra Cain, and suggests that we should all eat fingers (wait) on episode six of the Power of God and Sukuna, er, Anime podcast!

Anime Trivia!

In the series, Actually, I Am (also known as My Monster Secret), what is the name of the school’s demon principal?

Podcast Notes

• Sukuna’s finger water bottle, collectible, and even gummy, but no vitamin that we can find. Maybe our sponsor doesn’t have their website going quite yet?
• In today’s “Songs That Tell the Story, Mike sings “Lord I Need You” by Matt Maher.
• Bible verses we mentioned or that inspired discussion in this episode include I Corinthians 10:13, John 1:14, and Hebrews 4:15.

You can subscribe and listen to us on a variety of platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud, Amazon Music, and others. Please subscribe and leave us a review!

Featuring copyright-free music (license code 9OFBY6IDSRWODYKF) from Uppbeat (“Funk Tank by Soudnroll), and edited by Dennis.

Look, it’s not easy to ask others for help. Shame, pride, and all manner of obstacles get in the way. Deku and Vegeta know this intimately as major arcs for them and even their inmost character reveal a desire to go it on their own and not involve others. But what does scripture have to tell us about finding help in our struggles? Mike digs into this topic (while also explaining his real origin story, discussing his favorite series of the season, and more) on episode five of the Power of God and Anime podcast!

Anime Trivia!

In Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid, what is the dish that Tohru is constantly trying to get Kobayashi to eat?

Podcast Notes

• Check out our first impressions of the three fantasy series Mike mentioned at the top of the episode: Wistoria: Wand and Sword, I Parry Everything, and The Ossan Newbie Adventurer, Trained to Death by the Most Powerful Party, Became Invincible.
• In today’s “Songs That Tell the Story,” Mike sings “Why Me?” by Kris Kristofferson.
• Bible verses we mentioned or that inspired discussion in this episode include Isaiah 41:10, 2 Corinthians 12:10, Romans 3:23-24, and John 15:5.
• Check out more from Mike on YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram, including a bunch of photos from his attendance at Nickel City Comic Con!

You can subscribe and listen to us on a variety of platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud, Amazon Music, and others. Please subscribe and leave us a review!

Featuring copyright-free music (license code 9OFBY6IDSRWODYKF) from Uppbeat (“Funk Tank by Soudnroll), and edited by Dennis.

Do you feel influenced by the culture to act like those around you? Are you being persuaded to put away your faith and engage the world on its terms? You’re not alone—it’s a day and age where the culture around us speaks as strongly as ever. But Mike’s got you covered. He looks to Shirou Emiya and his stance during the Holy Grail War in Fate/stay night as an example of how to act when you’re being thrown about by something that contradicts your belief. Welcome to episode four of The Power of God and Anime Podcast!

Anime Trivia!

In Spy x Family, what is the name of the first person we see Yor target as an assassin?

Podcast Notes

• As Mike notes (and in case you didn’t realize it), people die if they are killed.
• In today’s “Songs That Tell the Story,” Mike sang a portion of and oldie but goodie: “If We Don’t Believe (Send Us to the World)” by Harvest.
• Bible verses we mentioned or that inspired discussion in this episode include 2 Timothy 3:1-5, 1 Timothy 2:3-4, Romans 12:2, and Galatians 6:1.
• Check out more from Mike on YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram, including a bunch of photos from his attendance at Nickel City Comic Con!

You can subscribe and listen to us on a variety of platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud, Amazon Music, and others. Please subscribe and leave us a review!

Featuring copyright-free music (license code 9OFBY6IDSRWODYKF) from Uppbeat (“Funk Tank by Soudnroll), and edited by Dennis.

Welcome to episode three of The Power of God and Anime Podcast! Listen as Mike gives a third version of his story that sounds like Sailor Mo—no, it couldn’t be; discusses the cult episode of A Salad Bowl of Eccentrics; and shares his experience sharing the love of Christ with a co-worker rather than a false image of God that he had encountered. Come listen along!

Anime Trivia!

In Azumanga Daioh, the students’ homeroom teacher is Yukari Tanizaki. What is the subject she teaches? (Since it’s different in the dub and sub versions, either answer is acceptable)

Podcast Notes

• Have you watched A Salad Bowl of Eccentrics? It is a trip! The series just completed its run but if you’ve yet to watch it, read our first impression post to consider whether or not it’s worth taking the dive!
• In today’s “Songs That Tell the Story,” Mike sang a portion of Here I Go Again by the always-convicting Casting Crowns.
• Bible verses we mentioned or that inspired discussion in this episode include 2 Timothy 4:3-4 and Jeremiah 14:14.
• Check out more from Mike on YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram, including a bunch of photos from his attendance at Nickel City Comic Con!
• Thank you to today’s sponsor, Truck-kun!

You can subscribe and listen to us on a variety of platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud, Amazon Music, and others. Please subscribe and leave us a review!

Featuring copyright-free music (license code 9OFBY6IDSRWODYKF) from Uppbeat (“Funk Tank by Soudnroll), and edited by Dennis.

Welcome to episode two of The Power of God and Anime Podcast! Listen as Mike gives his second, truer (?) origin story, sings a praise song you may never have previously heard, asks you this episode’s Anime Trivia question, and talks about second chances and Doctor Elise: The Royal Lady with the Lamp.

Anime Trivia!

In That Time I Was Reincarnated As a Slime, what was Rimuru’s name in his first life?

Podcast Notes

• Have you watched Doctor Elise: The Royal Lady with the Lamp? Besides this episode, we’ve discussed the opening episode of the series.
• Take a listen to the full version of Mike’s original song, “What Sin.”
• Bible verses we mentioned or that inspired discussion in this episode include Acts 9 and 2 Peter 3:9.
• Check out more from Mike on YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram!

You can subscribe and listen to us on a variety of platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud, Amazon Music, and others. Please subscribe and leave us a review!

Featuring copyright-free music (license code 9OFBY6IDSRWODYKF) from Uppbeat (“Funk Tank by Soudnroll), and edited by Dennis.

Statedogg is back! We’re happy to post the very first episode of a new podcast featuring Mike of Mike’s Geek World and formerly of the Tangle x Cast. When the team ended their run last year, they moved onto other projects—Kyuubikaze is taking a break from BtT as he endeavors onto new challenges in his life, Dennis continues to be our engineer for new podcasts, Paris and Eryn plan to launch a podcast this winter, and Mike is starting the “Power of God and Anime” podcast. In today’s introductory episode, he chats about Akira Toriyama’s passing, Evangelion and a holy fatherhood, and more. He also gives his first trivia question—feel free to drop your response after you listen to the episode!

Anime Trivia!

In the Dragon Ball anime, how old is Bulma when the series begins?

Podcast Notes

• We’ve written a ton of Evangelion articles (go figure), including this one about Gendo Ikari. If you want to stream the series, it’s currently available on Netflix.
• After you’re done listening to Mike’s version, listen to the original “When God Ran” by Phillips, Craig, & Dean.
• Bible verses we mentioned or that inspired discussion in this episode include James 1:2-3, 2 Corinthians 7:10, and Luke 15:11-32.
• Check out more from Mike on YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram!

You can subscribe and listen to us on a variety of platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud, Amazon Music, and others. Please subscribe and leave us a review!

Featuring copyright-free music (license code 9OFBY6IDSRWODYKF) from Uppbeat (“Funk Tank by Soudnroll), and edited by Dennis.

Over the last year+, the Tangle x Cast team has shared their thoughts on life and faith while elegantly intertwining Christianity with anime in relatable and mindful ways. But this episode marks the end of this journey. We hope you enjoyed the episodes and that you’ll enjoy this final one, too, as Paris, Mike, Eryn, and Tyler (and Dennis a little, too!) share their memories from the previous 26 episodes. And stay tuned as well, because you haven’t heard the last of any of these wonderful folks here on Beneath the Tangles!

0:00 Introduction
2:13 Favorite Episodes
2:22 Mike’s Favorites: Regret vs. Repentance and Singleness
3:53 Tyler’s Favorites: Zom 100 and Burnout and Going Through the Motions
7:40 Paris’ Favorites: Zom 100, Oshi no Ko and Criticism, Joy in Anime, Social Anxiety, Dealing with Disappointment, Eryn’s introductory episode, and episode one.
9:25 Eryn’s Favorites: Joy in Anime and Cowboy Bebop The Movie Watch-Along
11:13 Favorite Games
16:06 Tangle x Cast Fruits
31:20 New BtT Projects for the Team
34:43 Thank You
37:39 Closing

Podcast Links

• What better way to kick off our final episode than with the English voice of Kyouko Hori, Marisa Duran! She has been a wonderful friend to the blog. Check out our most recent interview with her and another deeper dive from a few years back, and give her a follow on X and Instagram—she’s very active on both.
• Thank you again to Christina Kelly for joining us during a past episode! Listen to our interview with Christina and follow her on X, Instagram, and Tiktok.
• Thank you, also, to Amanda Gish for joining us in a really cool episode as well! Please follow Amanda on YouTube, Instagram, and X.
• Check out all the other things that Mike, Paris, Tyler, Eryn, and Dennis (our editor and the fifth member of the Tangle x Cast team) are doing—and be looking forward to what’s next!
• The Tangle x Cast may be over, but we’ll be seeing you again soon! One way you can already continue to connect is through Tyler’s small group—come join our Discord server (email beneaththetangles AT gmail for a link), through which he runs the weekly group, and connect with the rest of our community there as well!

Featuring music by Celotron (all rights reserved) and edited by Dennis.