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Purely Academic with Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman

Jonathan R. Lack & Sean Chapman
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Dragon Ball
Doctor Who
Akira Toriyama
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Superhero Movies
Persona 3
Persona 3 Reload
Batman
Spider-Man 2
Xbox
Robocop
Marvel Cinematic Universe
Dragon Quest
Dr. Slump
Analogue Pocket
Game Boy
Black Panther
Logan
Yuffie

Critics and teachers Jonathan R. Lack and Sean Chapman host this monthly variety series where we talk about our favorite video games, movies, anime, and much more, having fun and maybe even learning something along the way. From the creators of The Weekly Stuff Podcast and Japanimation Station. Visit www.jonathanlack.com for more!

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes573Founded14 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Video GamesFilm ReviewsLeisureTV & Film

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Latest Episodes

The news just won’t stop coming, so we once again have an overstuffed Monthly Stuff episode to break it all down, from the reveal of Nvidia’s horrific slop-fueled DLSS 5, to Sony raising prices dramatically on PS5 systems, to the announcement of a ne... more

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There’s very little we enjoy talking about more than Resident Evil here at Purely Academic, as the series has been on one of the most amazing hot streaks in the history of gaming over this past decade. The latest entry, Resident Evil Requiem, is a st... more

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It’s been a big – and depressing – few weeks of news in the entertainment industry, so we’re back for the March ‘Monthly Stuff’ episode to break it all down. First up we have Sony’s sudden (and infuriating) closure of Bluepoint, the studio behind man... more

YouTube

In a very video game-centric episode of the podcast, we talk all the news out of this month’s Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase and Sony State of Play, including the announcement of a God of War trilogy remake, a new Castlevania game from the Dead Cel... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Thomas Lack
World champion in Persona 3, Dancing Moon Knight, Persona 4, Dancing All Night, and Persona 5, Dancing Star Knight
Episode: The Weekly Stuff #489 - Reviewing Persona 3: The Weird Masquerade Stage Play

Hosts

Jonathan Lack
Host and co-host with Sean Chapman; cinema studies educator and critic with a long-running teaching background.
Sean Chapman
Co-host with Jonathan Lack; high school English teacher and critic with extensive media expertise and long-running podcast involvement.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 67 ratings
  • They like the new doctor who stuff......enough said

    Podcast Addict
    1
    RevanWake
    a year ago
  • Great Podcast

    Love the discussions on this podcast. Give you great things to think about. Should cover Gamera

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Alexmaster13
    United States4 years ago
  • The (Not) Weekly Review of the Weekly Stuff Podcast

    my favorite podcast out there! it’s been going on for so long that there’s plenty to listen to

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    redcomet7107
    United States4 years ago
  • 1.5 years in and loving it, But the audio is low

    Love all the topics and rewatches these guys choose, and I really appreciate the addition of time stamps in the descriptions, but man it gets difficult listening in louder areas with headphones or even just in my car sometimes.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Mrhopadopalus
    United States4 years ago
  • Amazing work

    Passionate, well informed and honest review/discussion about a wide range of of popular media. Both hosts are very self aware and both contribute deeply contrasting and complimentary opinions and perspectives in an organic and honest way. The show is a super refreshing listen and has become a part of my weekly routine. Great guys great content. Keep it up!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    eeb189
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate depth and chemistry between hosts, though occasional long episodes can feel dense for new listeners.
High-quality discussions across games, films, and anime with a strong sense of humor and authenticity.
A dependable source for fans of thoughtful media criticism and nerd culture.
Thoughtful, long-form discussions with clear academic perspective.
Hosts combine teaching experience with pop culture passion, making analysis accessible and engaging.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Purely Academic #10 – The Top 10 Most Unlikely Gundam Creative Collaborations
Q: Can you explain your idea involving the potential collaboration with Studio Trigger?
The collaboration would involve chaotic rivals piloting Gundams with emotional transformations.
Purely Academic #10 – The Top 10 Most Unlikely Gundam Creative Collaborations
Q: What did I challenge you with? What did you bring to the table this time, Sean?
Sean shares his list of the top 10 least likely anime team collaborations with Gundam.
Purely Academic #7 – Listener Mail Extravaganza! Plus Dynasty Warriors, Shows That Should Copy Dragon Ball, & more!
Q: Are you going to cover Cyberpunk 2077?
In a hypothetical scenario where I have infinite time, yes, I would probably like to play Cyberpunk 2077, but in reality where I'm limited on time, probably not any time soon.
Purely Academic #7 – Listener Mail Extravaganza! Plus Dynasty Warriors, Shows That Should Copy Dragon Ball, & more!
Q: If you could redo one episode of Weekly Suit Gundam or Japanimation Station, what would you choose?
I would choose to redo the Zeta Gundam episode to explore its context better, as we could utilize what we have learned since then.
Purely Academic #7 – Listener Mail Extravaganza! Plus Dynasty Warriors, Shows That Should Copy Dragon Ball, & more!
Q: If you could see any unfinished film, but you must erase one of that director's existing films to do it, what would you see and what would you delete?
I would choose to see The Magnificent Ambersons by Orson Welles and delete The Immortal Story, which is less significant in his filmography.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Purely Academic

What is Purely Academic about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Two hosts bring a scholarly yet approachable lens to video games, movies, anime, and broader pop culture, often tying discussions to teaching experiences and personal media histories. Episodes balance deep critical analysis with humor, banter, and playlist-like oblique references, making long-form conversations feel lively and accessible. Notable strengths include their transparent chemistry, willingness to tackle industry trends alongside classic titles, and a flair for weaving academic context into mainstream entertainment. A compelling pick for listeners who want thoughtful media criticism that also covers education, teaching perspectives, and the evolving landscape of gaming and film.

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How many listeners does Purely Academic get?

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What are the audience demographics for Purely Academic?

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How many subscribers and views does Purely Academic have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Purely Academic?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Purely Academic:

1. Japanimation Station Season 6 - TOMINO-THON!
2. Podcast: The Ride
3. Doughboys
4. STORES
5. Blowback

How many episodes of Purely Academic are there?

Purely Academic launched 14 years ago and published 573 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Purely Academic?

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What guests have appeared on Purely Academic?

Recent guests on Purely Academic include:

1. Thomas Lack

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