This week, Nigel and Tazziii dive deep into Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio (starting at 31:40), with guests Sky Tunley-Stainton from Safe in our World and comic creator Pigeon.
Del Toro's darker retelling of the classic tale brings stop-motion craftsmanship and new emotional depth to Carlo Collodi's original story. But how does it succeed as a narrative beyond great visuals and thematic ambition?
We discuss the value of stop-motion animation, and how the film connects audiences to a character's Ghost. Plus powerful themes woven throughout every aspect of the narrative, what it means to be disobedient, and our favourite moments in this retelling of an old story with a del Toro twist. This week's storytelling tip is about implementing a rule-based system that is tied to the emotional core of your narrative.
Other stories we're enjoying include: Witch's Egg (Graphic Novel), Bone Broth (Graphic Novel), Mother (Graphic Novel), BLOB (Graphic Novel) Tress of the Emerald Sea (Book), Wake Up Dead Man: Knives Out (Cinema), 2 Guys and a Girl (ITVX), Minx (ITVX), Artful Dodger (Disney+), Minor Arcana (Comic), A Game of Fate (Book), Animal Control (Channel 4), Running Man (Cinema), Two Black Boys in Paradise, Only a Child, Mental Roots and Meow or Never (Disrupting the Narrative screening), Dandadan (Netflix), Shinobi: Art of Vengeance (PS5), Klara and the Sun (Book), A Thousand Blows (Disney+)
Connect with Pigeon online:
Connect with Sky online:
This week, Nigel and Tazziii sit down with Martha Julian from Thought Bubble and Abi Wright from Festival of the Girl, two event organisers running national events at large scale. We explore what drives them to create these community spaces and the impact events can have on attendees across creative interests.
From the logistics of planning and the realities of funding to the challenges of sustaining events year after year, we delve into what it takes to keep going in an increasingly digital age. This is a must listen for event organisers and packed with valuable insights and practical advice for those looking to understand the dedication behind the events they love.
Connect with Martha online:
Connect with Abi online:
This week, Nigel and Tazziii dive deep into Pixar's Elio (starting at 26:45), with guests mayamada illustrator Pinali and Lao K, the other mayamada co-founder.
Pixar's latest animation didn't receive the warm reception the studio might have hoped for. We explore the off-screen drama that impacted the on-screen narrative, why Elio felt disconnected and made it difficult to connect with certain characters, the Pixar "bean mouth" problem and what we expect from our animation today, as well as how well the film executed its themes of grief, loneliness and identity.
Not everything can be a home run, and we look at which moments did work and what we want to see from Pixar animation in future. This week's storytelling tip is about getting your protagonist's Ghost right.
Other stories we're enjoying include: Predator franchise (film series), Hazbin Hotel (Prime Video), Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein (Netflix), Sifu (Epic), Vinland Saga (Netflix), Moving Out (Steam), Howl's Moving Castle (Spotify), The Flight Attendant (HBO Max via ITVX), High Potential (ABC), Gardens of the Moon (book), A Thousand Blows (Disney+), Invincible (Prime Video), The Paper (Sky).
Connect with Pinali online:
Connect with Lao online:
This week, Nigel and Tazziii sit down with Chitra Soundar, an award-winning children's author and executive producer, to discuss her journey from telling stories in Chennai, India to producing them for UK television.
We delve into the long process of bringing an idea to our screens in the form of animation, and how Chitra brought the Nikhil & Jay show to life on CBeebies. Chitra tells us why representation matters and how she is opening pathways for those from South Asian backgrounds and talent of colour in the industry, plus the preparation needed to ensure you are in the right position when opportunity comes - even if you have to create the opportunity yourself!
This conversation is a must listen for anyone interested in the work and business moves behind bringing animation to our screens.
Connect with Chitra online:
This week, Nigel and Tazziii dive deep into The Last of Us Season 2 (from 19:36), with a special voice note from Mr Midas sharing his thoughts on the game for context.
NOTE: Unfortunately, we experienced technical difficulties during recording which resulted in lost audio that we couldn't recover. This affected the Stories We're Enjoying segment and the start of the main story discussion. We apologise for any disruption this may cause.
You'll hear Nigel and Tazziii's thoughts on the latest adapted season from the genre-defining game. We discuss how faithfully the game's most emotional moments were translated and explore the difficulties of adaptation when only half of the source material has been covered in season 2, with season 3 expected to adapt the rest of the game.
We also examine narrative issues around Ellie and Abby's characters in the season, along with the television-specific moments that did impressed us.
Other stories we're enjoying include: Witch Watch (Crunchyroll), Zenshu (Crunchyroll), The Great Cleric (Crunchyroll), Pass the Monster Meat (Crunchyroll), One Piece (Netflix), Chainsaw Man (Crunchyroll), Invincible (Prime Video), The Paper (Sky Max)
In this Rewind episode, we're bringing you the audio from our live panel at MCM London Comic Con in October 2025: Anime 101 - Why It Hits Different. Joining Nigel and Tazziii are Simone Giampaolo kayPOWXD, and Badgerz as they explore why anime creates such powerful emotional connections and why it's making an even bigger splash in the mainstream.
This is a new format we're aiming to do more of next year - sharing audio from our IRL panels and roundtables to the podcast. So bear with us on the audio quality (we’re still working out the logistics) and we hope you enjoy the conversation about anime's unique storytelling power and its growing cultural impact.
Special moment alert: At the 37:49 mark, Badgerz proposes to kayPOWXD on stage! ✨💍 Definitely a first for us and huge congratulations to the newly engaged couple!
Check out our YouTube channel for the video of this panel (plus engagement) and other mayamada content from MCM Comic Con.
Guest Links
Simone Giampaolo
kayPOWXD
Badgerz
This week, Nigel and Tazziii sit down with Michael Nakan, a creative entrepreneur working at the intersection of media and technology.
Michael shares his journey from (unexpectedly) British roots into the worlds of film, TV, and now comics, including his work founding Envision Entertainment and creating content across Europe, the U.S., and Asia.
We get into the scary decline in reading for pleasure amongst young people in the UK and why comics are uniquely positioned to tackle this challenge of getting kids reading again.
Michael tells us about Comixit, the inspiring comics app for kids he's building and what features his team are preparing to launch. He also reminds us of the essential balance between creativity and business awareness that every creative entrepreneur needs to learn for success and sustainability.
Connect with Comixit online:
This week, Nigel and Tazziii are by themselves as they dive deep into Bong Joon Ho's darkly funny sci-fi satire, Mickey 17 (starting at 28:06).
We explore the film's anti-capitalist themes and how it uses the concept of "expendables" to critique exploitation of workers under capitalism.
We also talk about Pattinson's impressive dual performance playing two versions of Mickey, and how the film depicts leadership and political figures in a really negative light…raising questions about what this means for our real-world perception of leaders.
Finally, we debate whether Mickey 17 strikes the right balance in characterisation, or if it gives us too little of it. This week's storytelling tip is about the right balance of characterisation in your story.
Other stories we're enjoying include: A Touch of Darkness (Book), The Great Cleric (Crunchyroll), Secrets of a Silent Witch (Crunchyroll), The Case Study of Vanitas (Crunchyroll), I Was Reincarnated as the 7th Prince so I Can Take My Time Perfecting My Magical Ability (Crunchyroll), Little Nightmares 2 (Steam), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin (IDW Publishing), Vinland Saga (Netflix/Crunchyroll), Fire Force (Crunchyroll), The Last of Us Season 2 (Sky Atlantic).
This week, we've got an Rewind episode for you with the audio from our autumn video game roundtable livestream! Due to an unexpected last-minute change, it's just Nigel and Tazziii alongside our faithful chat community, diving into the games we've been playing and the biggest news stories shaking up the industry right now.
We tackle some of the most pressing questions in gaming today: Has Xbox Game Pass's massive price hike pushed gaming into luxury territory? Are showcase livestreams like Sony's State of Play still worth watching (though we can't deny that Wolverine gameplay looked great)? What does Nintendo's aggressive patent strategy mean for developers and games like Palworld? And with EA's record-breaking takeover, how are business decisions and geopolitical movements reshaping the games we play?
We cover the big three platform holders as well as the wider industry, so tune in for our takes and catch us live next time on the mayamada Twitch channel for more live Studio77 shows.
Games we've been playing: Dead Space 2, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, Destiny: Rising, Astro Bot, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance
This week, Nigel and Tazziii sit down with Marina Díez, an award-winning game designer and Forbes Under 30 lister, to discuss her extraordinary journey as the first guest who was encouraged to get into games by their parents!
She’s now CEO of her own game studio, Three of Cups Games and we delve into how a proactive approach to creating opportunities helped her break into the gaming industry rather than waiting for doors to open.
Join the conversation and hear about the challenges of not only designing emotionally impactful games but also running an entire studio built on diversity and ethical foundations.
Connect with Marina online:
In this Rewind episode, we're revisiting our Story Club discussion of The Colors Within, where Nigel and Tazziii invite guest for a novel twist om the book club format.
This episode features Film Scholar Rayna Denison, making her first appearance on the show, and returning guest Bish from GAL Podcasts. Together, they delve into explore this beautifully animated coming-of-age film that explores friendship, music and perception.
We cover how this film takes a different approach to other music-centred stories like Blue Giant and Whiplash, with less focus on technical excellence and more on using music to bring outcast friends together. We explore the use of colour to represent emotions and perception, how religious themes thread meaningfully through the narrative, and debate whether leaving character motivations to the imagination helps or hurts the storytelling.
Tune in to the mayamada Twitch channel each month for more Studio77 content: The Studio77 Report, Casual Conversations With Comic Creators and Games Night.
Guest Links
Connect with Dr Rayna Denison
Connect with Bish & GAL Podcasts
This week, Nigel and Tazziii dive deep into KPop Demon Hunters (at 29:58), with guests Comic Creator Liza N. Cooper, and Watercolourist Tony Moy.
This Netflix animation has become overnight sensation and we explore how it manages to make the local global, connecting with not just KPop fans but mainstream audiences of all ages (ourselves included!). The film uses simple, emotional storytelling to keep things moving, alongside fantastic songs that we break down and debate which we enjoyed best. But does it succeed as a narrative beyond its catchy tunes and vibrant animation?
We examine the film's themes of friendship, identity and demon-hunting heroics, debating which moments work and how well the story's themes resonate. This week's storytelling tip is about designing a trio of protagonists for your story.
Other stories we're enjoying include: Bring Her Back (Cinema), Weapons (Cinema), Dungeon Crawler Carl (Book), Tulsa King (Paramount+), Solo Leveling (Crunchyroll), The God and the Gumiho (Book), The Scarlet Veil (Book), The Comic Shop (Kickstarter), Dragon Goes House Hunting (Crunchyroll), Astrobot (PS5), Dandadan (Netflix), The Paper (Sky), Shinobi: Art of Vengeance (PS5), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin (Comic),Eyes of Wakanda (Disney+)
Connect with Liza N. Cooper:
Connect with Tony Moy:
- Website: http://www.tonymoy.art
- Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tonymoyart.bsky.social
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/tonymoy88
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/tony_moy
- TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@tony_moy
- Twitch: https://twitch.tv/tony_moy
- YouTube: https://youtube.com/@tony_moy
In this Rewind episode, we're revisiting one of our Studio77 shows, Casual Conversations With Comic Creators, where Nigel sits down with a different creator to explore their work and the craft of making comics.
This series is all about highlighting the people behind the art as we uncover their unique stories. This episode features a conversation with award-winning creators Rachael Smith and Paul Cornell, whose impressive portfolios include Quarantine Comix, Doctor Who, and work for Marvel and DC Comics.
The duo joins us to share insights about their creative processes and journey in the industry, with a special focus on their exciting new collaboration Who Killed Nessie? - a comedy cryptozoological whodunnit launching at Waterstones in September and showing at Thought Bubble in November. We explore how this mystery graphic novel came to life and discover the fascinating twists and turns of their creative partnership.
Tune in to the mayamada Twitch channel each month for more Studio77 content with Nigel, Tazziii and the mayamada community: Studio77 Report, Casual Conversations With Comic Creators and Games Night.
Connect with Rachael Smith online:
Connect with Paul Cornell online:
This week, Nigel and Tazziii sit down with Fergo and Judy Powell, two comic creators at different stages of their creative journeys, to discuss their paths into the world of independent comics.
From introspective perspectives…to stories about premeditated murder (true story!), we explore what drives them to persevere through the challenges of the creative process. We delve into their contributions to the new WIP Comics infinity-themed anthology and their unique approaches to the project.
Join us for valuable tips and inspiration for both new comic creators and those looking to keep momentum going on their own creative paths.
Connect with Fergo online:
Connect with Judy online:
Website: https://www.judypowell.online
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jpowell470
This week, Nigel and Tazziii dive deep into Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (starting at 19:58), with our guest SARE, a music artist and DJ from London.
The third instalment in the Sonic film franchise brings some darker themes with the introduction of Shadow the Hedgehog while maintaining its family-friendly appeal. But does the balance work when the lead character brings enough slapstick for the entire cast?
We examine how director Jeff Fowler has adapted the source material for younger audiences, navigating more complex themes of grief and revenge, and discuss why storytelling approaches look different when creating content for family audiences. This week's storytelling tip is about making good use of flashbacks.
Other stories we're enjoying include: Summer Pockets (Steam), The Fragrent Flower Blooms with You (Crunchyroll), Sonic Racing Crossworlds Open Beta (PlayStation/Xbox), Metaphor Refantazio (PlayStation), Dance with the Devil Musical Anime (Crunchyroll), Abbot Elementary (Disney+), Castle (Disney+), Gamer (BBC iPlayer), Heaven Official's Blessing (Crunchyroll), Destiny Rising (iOS), Out and About (Steam), Better Call Saul (Netflix), Dandadan (Netflix), Tokyo Revengers (Disney+), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin (Comic), Eyes of Wakanda (Disney+)
Connect with SARE online:
This week, Tazziii is away for one more week so Nigel is joined by guest co-host Aisha (aka Doomed Prinny) for an insightful conversation about cosplay culture in 2025.
We dive into a discussion on the evolution of cosplay in the digital age, we explore how technology has transformed the craft, culture and our perceptions of what makes a good cosplay. We debate the boundaries between digital enhancement and traditional costume crafting, the impact of social media on cosplay standards, and the tension between cosplay as a personal hobby versus a professional career.
Listen for a fantastic analysis of authenticity, craft, and values in cosplay culture!
Connect with our guests online:
Aisha (Doomed Prinny)
Bekzxx
Dani (Hijabi Hoo)
Coco
This week, Tazziii is away so Nigel goes solo with guest Des Gayle from Altered Gene to dive deep into the new Superman film (starting at 20:14), directed by James Gunn.
The latest addition to the DC Universe is a fresh take on the iconic superhero, introducing a new cast and new lead, but does it succeed as a narrative beyond being the first film in James Gunn's DCU reboot?
We examine how this version differs from previous Superman iterations, debate whether the large cast works, and discuss why it's so difficult to make a compelling Superman film. The episode also explores the wider DCU and MCU outlook amidst general audience superhero fatigue at the box office - can these films return to their former glory? This week's storytelling tip is about effective extended dialogue scenes in fixed locations.
Other stories we're enjoying include: Nightwing, Superman (DC). Bosch (Amazon Prime Video). Shinobi Art of Vengeance (PlayStation), Better Call Saul (Netflix), Fire Force (Crunchyroll), Vinland Saga (Netflix), Bob's Burgers (Disney+)
Connect with Des online:
This week, Nigel and Tazziii sit down with Tom Jenkins, Creative Director at Spud Gun Studios, to hear about his journey from North West London to being part of a leading team in British online animation.
Listen as we delve into how navigating challenging educational experiences shaped his approach to creativity and content creation, leading him to Mashed — formerly owned by Channel 4 and now an independent powerhouse with billions of views!
We get to hear Tom explain why authentic storytelling matters more than view counts, with must-hear insights for content creators at any stage of their own creative journey.
Connect with Tom Jenkins online:
We're back from our recording break with brand new episodes of Story x Story! This week, Nigel and Tazziii get into the family spirit with a deep dive into The Fantastic Four: First Steps (starting at 26:39), with special guest filmmaker Jed Shepherd.
We discover whether third time is the charm with yet another reboot of Marvel's first family. Now under Marvel's stewardship, is this the story to succeed in telling a coherent, comics-accurate narrative where many have failed before?
We examine this relatively simple but effective story and debate whether light-touch storytelling works to ensure an emotional bond with the ensemble cast and themes of sacrifice. This week's storytelling tip is about creating an effective ensemble cast.
Other stories we're enjoying include: A Short Stay in Hell (Book), Piranesi (Book), The Toxic Avenger (Shudder), Bring Her Back (BBC iPlayer), Watch the Skies (Channel 4), Kpop Demon Hunters (Netflix), Grounded 2 (Xbox), Wings and Embers (Netflix), A Court of Frost and Starlight (Netflix), A Court of Silver Flames (Netflix), You are Ms Servant (Crunchyroll), Wise Man's Grandchild (Crunchyroll), I'll Become a Villainess Who Goes Down in History (Crunchyroll), Tokyo Revengers (Disney+), Superstore (Netflix), Better Call Saul (Netflix), Ironheart (Disney+), Dandadan (Netflix)
Connect with Jed online:
We're on a recording break over July and will be back with new episodes in August. In the meantime, we're bringing you Rewind episodes to enjoy as we revisit the conversations from our "Do I Look Like A Gamer?" representation campaign launch livestream back in April.
Each segment will be released as a new episode on the podcast feed and features fantastic guests, including participants from the Campaign 40 photoshoot. You'll hear advice on game development and valuable tips on networking and other industry processes from experienced professionals.
This final segment features Nigel in conversation with Tazziii and our headline guest Cinzia Musio, Interim CEO for Code Coven and award-winning Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Consultant. We spoke with them about the economic and diversity challenges facing the gaming industry today, and got into some great insights on how to create more inclusive spaces. This is the last Rewind segment of our recording break, and we'll be back with brand new episodes in August - see you then!
Campaign Website
"Do I Look Like A Gamer?": https://looklikeagamer.com
The "Do I Look Like A Gamer?" campaign is our annual initiative focused on improving representation in the gaming industry. We're about highlighting diverse voices and experiences in gaming while challenging stereotypes about who gamers are.
Guest Links
Cinzia Musio