Asha Bardon MA x 2 (@ashabardon everywhere!)
@ashabardon.bsky.social
Anime/games/sci fi journo + manga adaptor. Queer bipolar AuDHDer. I have a BA in Religious Studies and MA's in Classics and Interdisciplinary Japanese Studies (w. Merit). Current novel projects: #foxandflower, #thedirectorareseries and #kalafia
Pinned
Wanna follow me on Substack? Click on these QR codes to go straight to Through the Eye of a Journalist, The Gaming Lorist, The Sacred Frame, Written Word Multiverses and my Virtual Photography Substack!! And if you wanna buy me a Ko-Fi then there’s a link in there too!!!
Reposted by Asha Bardon MA x 2 (@ashabardon everywhere!)
Localizers are the ones who give franchises their linguistic "faces" abroad, and they've long been undervalued by the publishers who benefit from their work. Hats off to Jan for using her moment to drop some truthbombs on a room full of industry insiders (and congrats on winning Best Translation!)
Award-Winning Translator, Jan Mitsuko Cash, Calls on American Manga Industry to Double Their Rates!
August 22, 2026 at 9:20 AM
Localizers are the ones who give franchises their linguistic "faces" abroad, and they've long been undervalued by the publishers who benefit from their work. Hats off to Jan for using her moment to drop some truthbombs on a room full of industry insiders (and congrats on winning Best Translation!)
The more I write #SecretBookProject2, the more I want to just research and write for ever and ever. So that what I’m trying to do: ashabardoneye.substack.com/p/secretbook...
#SecretBookProject2: Research and Rabbit Holes Make Asha Happy!
I've found my happy place...
ashabardoneye.substack.com
August 11, 2026 at 10:36 AM
The more I write #SecretBookProject2, the more I want to just research and write for ever and ever. So that what I’m trying to do: ashabardoneye.substack.com/p/secretbook...
I round up some of the #SekiroNoDefeat news from @sekiro_nd_anime today from visuals to omamori: open.substack.com/pub/ashabard...
'Sekiro: No Defeat': Owl, Isshin, Hanbei the Undying and the Sculptor Character Visuals Released, Wolf Shikishi and Omamori from Kanda Myōjin Shrine Revealed!
A round up of releases ahead of
open.substack.com
August 10, 2026 at 1:11 PM
I round up some of the #SekiroNoDefeat news from @sekiro_nd_anime today from visuals to omamori: open.substack.com/pub/ashabard...
I got to interview J-pop legend #EirAoi last week at @hyperjapanofficial last week. Read the interview here and subscribe if you want more of this kind of content: open.substack.com/pub/ashabard...
Roundtable/Press Junket Interview: Eir Aoi (HYPER JAPAN 2026)
A J-POP legend returns to London...
open.substack.com
August 10, 2026 at 11:34 AM
I got to interview J-pop legend #EirAoi last week at @hyperjapanofficial last week. Read the interview here and subscribe if you want more of this kind of content: open.substack.com/pub/ashabard...
Another really good week of writing #SecretProject2 and I’m now into five digits!!
August 9, 2026 at 12:17 PM
Another really good week of writing #SecretProject2 and I’m now into five digits!!
Learning from #SecretBookProject and streamlining my boom writing process for #SecretBookProject2: open.substack.com/pub/ashabard...
#SecretBookProject2: Creating a Production Schedule That Works...
Beginning again, learning anew...
open.substack.com
August 7, 2026 at 12:41 PM
Learning from #SecretBookProject and streamlining my boom writing process for #SecretBookProject2: open.substack.com/pub/ashabard...
As I start #SecretBookProject2, I’m not only improving my process, I’m reevaluating how I write at a foundational level. Let’s chat about our shared interests for eight months rather than me talking at you: open.substack.com/pub/ashabard...
#SecretBookProject2: A Conversation Between Me and Thee...
Starting again, learning anew..
open.substack.com
August 6, 2026 at 5:28 PM
As I start #SecretBookProject2, I’m not only improving my process, I’m reevaluating how I write at a foundational level. Let’s chat about our shared interests for eight months rather than me talking at you: open.substack.com/pub/ashabard...
So we’re getting an English dub of #theramayana on day one which is great but will this impact how the film is consumed and understood in the west? open.substack.com/pub/ashabard...
August 6, 2026 at 5:24 PM
So we’re getting an English dub of #theramayana on day one which is great but will this impact how the film is consumed and understood in the west? open.substack.com/pub/ashabard...
Tim’s to talk about this new Pompeii documentary: open.substack.com/pub/ashabard...
'Pompeii: Out of Time With Tom Hiddleston' (2026; Episodes 1-3)
Revisit the disaster, with added Loki...
open.substack.com
August 3, 2026 at 3:53 PM
Tim’s to talk about this new Pompeii documentary: open.substack.com/pub/ashabard...
As we start #SecretBookProject2, which should keep nr@occupied for the next six months, I look back on what I learned from the original: open.substack.com/pub/ashabard...
#SecretBookProject2: Lessons Learned from the Original #SecretBookProject
Begining again....
open.substack.com
August 3, 2026 at 10:32 AM
As we start #SecretBookProject2, which should keep nr@occupied for the next six months, I look back on what I learned from the original: open.substack.com/pub/ashabard...
Honestly given the choice, Epic! is my personal go to adaptation of The Odyssey.
July 17, 2026 at 7:40 PM
Honestly given the choice, Epic! is my personal go to adaptation of The Odyssey.
Honestly given the choice, Epic! is my personal go to adaptation of The Odyssey.
July 17, 2026 at 7:40 PM
Honestly given the choice, Epic! is my personal go to adaptation of The Odyssey.
I *think* it’s done. I still have an appendix to sort and edits to fix. But everything is now in the file for the #SecretBookProject!!!
July 14, 2026 at 2:31 PM
I *think* it’s done. I still have an appendix to sort and edits to fix. But everything is now in the file for the #SecretBookProject!!!
I’m doubling down that GodzillaMinusZero has Shintō underpinning last seen in A Shinkai or Studio Ghibli film. Here are my predictions for the new film based on the new info and trailer: ashabardoneye.substack.com/p/godzilla-m...
July 10, 2026 at 2:01 PM
I’m doubling down that GodzillaMinusZero has Shintō underpinning last seen in A Shinkai or Studio Ghibli film. Here are my predictions for the new film based on the new info and trailer: ashabardoneye.substack.com/p/godzilla-m...
I’m doubling down that GodzillaMinusZero has Shintō underpinning last seen in A Shinkai or Studio Ghibli film. Here are my predictions for the new film based on the new info and trailer: ashabardoneye.substack.com/p/godzilla-m...
July 10, 2026 at 2:00 PM
I’m doubling down that GodzillaMinusZero has Shintō underpinning last seen in A Shinkai or Studio Ghibli film. Here are my predictions for the new film based on the new info and trailer: ashabardoneye.substack.com/p/godzilla-m...
I’m delighted to announce I’ve just signed a contract for #SecretBookProject2 Electric Boogaloo!! I’m editing SBP1 right now but I am so excited for this new project, due in February 2027!!!
July 7, 2026 at 7:29 AM
I’m delighted to announce I’ve just signed a contract for #SecretBookProject2 Electric Boogaloo!! I’m editing SBP1 right now but I am so excited for this new project, due in February 2027!!!
With so many anime adaptations coming, I take a look at what these projects need to do well to succeed where so many others failed. Read my thoughts here: open.substack.com/pub/ashabard...
July 5, 2026 at 7:27 AM
With so many anime adaptations coming, I take a look at what these projects need to do well to succeed where so many others failed. Read my thoughts here: open.substack.com/pub/ashabard...
It has been way too hot in the UK this week so I went in to Editing Mode on the #SecretBookProject: open.substack.com/pub/ashabard...
#SecretBookProject: Unto the Editing Space...
Making mistakes and finding and fixing them...
open.substack.com
June 28, 2026 at 5:03 PM
It has been way too hot in the UK this week so I went in to Editing Mode on the #SecretBookProject: open.substack.com/pub/ashabard...
I breakdown what we know about #SekiroNoDefeat after its screening at @annecyfestival this week and what we know about the theatrical and streaming releases. More here: open.substack.com/pub/ashabard...
'Sekiro: No Defeat' Explained: Theatrical Trailer Breakdown
Seeing another side of Ashina...
open.substack.com
June 27, 2026 at 10:10 AM
I breakdown what we know about #SekiroNoDefeat after its screening at @annecyfestival this week and what we know about the theatrical and streaming releases. More here: open.substack.com/pub/ashabard...
I review the 4k restoration of the classic anime #AngelsEgg: ashabardoneye.substack.com/p/angels-egg...
June 18, 2026 at 4:52 PM
I review the 4k restoration of the classic anime #AngelsEgg: ashabardoneye.substack.com/p/angels-egg...
I’ve just hit 100k on my #SecretBookProject and we’re into the homeward stretch of the first draft: ashabardoneye.substack.com/p/secretbook...
#SecretBookProject: The 100k Celebration!
The homeward stretch is here...
ashabardoneye.substack.com
June 16, 2026 at 8:58 AM
I’ve just hit 100k on my #SecretBookProject and we’re into the homeward stretch of the first draft: ashabardoneye.substack.com/p/secretbook...
Fans of #DeadbyDaylight (@billsbrey) can rejoice as Shimizu Hinako from #silenthillƒ is to be added to the game later this month: ashabardongaminglorist.substack.com/p/silent-hil...
June 16, 2026 at 8:55 AM
Fans of #DeadbyDaylight (@billsbrey) can rejoice as Shimizu Hinako from #silenthillƒ is to be added to the game later this month: ashabardongaminglorist.substack.com/p/silent-hil...
I’ve been working all weekend with what I think was mild IBS from stress. But look, we’re about to hit 10Ok on the #SecretBookProject. This is now the literal home stretch!!!
June 14, 2026 at 3:58 PM
I’ve been working all weekend with what I think was mild IBS from stress. But look, we’re about to hit 10Ok on the #SecretBookProject. This is now the literal home stretch!!!
I’ve been unwell for a few days so that makes it the perfect time to sort out the #SecretBookProject. I pulled the original proposal which was 4.6k so now the word count is accurate!! The book is now coming together nicely!!!!
June 13, 2026 at 5:53 PM
I’ve been unwell for a few days so that makes it the perfect time to sort out the #SecretBookProject. I pulled the original proposal which was 4.6k so now the word count is accurate!! The book is now coming together nicely!!!!
A different kind of Close Encounter. Read my review of #DisclosureDay here: ashabardoneye.substack.com/p/disclosure...
'Disclosure Day' (2026): Review
Not like your previous Close Encounters...
ashabardoneye.substack.com
June 11, 2026 at 3:50 AM
A different kind of Close Encounter. Read my review of #DisclosureDay here: ashabardoneye.substack.com/p/disclosure...