We’re joined by game critic Matt Gosper (host of kindred podcast Trails Through Trails) to answer a really tough one: What is a JRPG? So much more than just “an RPG made in Japan,” it’s a genre of games with dense, expansive storytelling, crunchy stats-based gameplay, gorgeous visuals, a rich cultural & technological history, and a long legacy of burrowing deep into the hearts of its fans. It’s never been the most popular genre, but its impact on modern games & stories is undeniable. And then, we attempt to answer the most important question: Is Kingdom Hearts one of them?

Credits

- Created & hosted by: Mischa Stanton & Mayanna Berrin

- Guest: Matt Gosper

- Music: “Sunset Dew” by Lupus Nocte

- A member of Multitude

- Support us on Patreon

About Us

Simple and Clean is a show where hosts Mischa Stanton and Mayanna Berrin (and friends) talk about Kingdom Hearts, a little video game franchise about really big feelings. We attempt to unravel how this deceptively expansive game series has touched an entire generation of deeply earnest weirdos - and along the way, we may realize that what we’re talking about might not be just a video game, but a whole lot more.

Never heard of Kingdom Hearts? That’s okay! We’re here to break it down for you, explain why we love it, and hopefully to convince you that this weird little story deserves a place in your heart. Join us as we discuss the plot, characters, world building, music, fashion, fanbase, and societal impact of a thing that by all means, probably shouldn’t even exist. New episodes every Sunday!

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