Gom Jabbar: A Dune Podcast
Episode: "All Art Is Political: The Anime We Love"
Hosts: Abu & Leo
Date: December 5, 2025

Episode Overview

This special Gom Jabbar episode steps off Dune’s golden path to discuss a heated question in fandom discourse: Is art inherently political? Drawing on recent anime community debates and familiar pushback from the Dune fandom, hosts Abu and Leo celebrate their favorite anime series—not just for their entertainment, but for their rich thematic and political resonance. Through close readings and personal anecdotes, they challenge the "it’s not that deep bro" narrative and encourage listeners to think critically about the art they love.

Key Points & Insights

Setting the Stage: Why This Conversation?

[03:52] Leo:

The inspiration for this episode came from a two-year-old viral clip on the Trash Taste podcast featuring streamer Hasan Piker, discussing One Piece as overtly political.
"Now, we on a Dune podcast that's been running for almost six years, get constantly harassed by people going, stop talking politics in your talking about a political art piece podcast."
There is persistent resistance among fans to engaging political themes in art, particularly in genres like anime or works like Dune.

[08:52–11:26] (Trash Taste/Hasan Piker clip discussion and reaction):

Hasan Piker argues One Piece is openly political (Che Guevara photo in Oda’s studio; Luffy as a “freedom fighter” against corrupt authority).
Trash Taste hosts initially laugh off the claim, illustrating broader fandom resistance to seeing anime as political.
Abu and Leo highlight that escapism itself cannot be separated from the context people “escape” from.

All Art Is Political: Challenging Escapism

[13:21] Leo:

"All art is seeped in the creator's worldview... in what they can and cannot say. There's all sorts of like, just any type of creation is political, period."
Even the most “brainless” media (Love Island, isekai anime) is shaped by—and in turn shapes—politics, values, and social roles.
“It’s not that deep” is a way of dismissing both artistic intent and the hopes of marginalized viewers—an act of privilege.

[14:35] Abu:

"To dismiss the art as just apolitical and not that deep... I think is oftentimes a disservice to the artist's work."
They encourage “vibing” and escapism, but warn against apathy and erasure of context, intention, and impact.

Highlighted Shows & Thematic Analysis

1. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End

Presented by Leo [26:42–41:54]

A fantasy anime that begins where most end: the heroes have saved the world, and Frieren, an ageless elf mage, outlives her comrades. The show meditates on memory, time, and meaning.
Not overtly about government or resistance; instead, it questions productivity culture and redefines value as human connection, not achievement.
[32:01] Leo: “It was only a 10 year journey. Right...for Frieren, it was just like one sort of side adventure.”
[36:11] Abu: The show contrasts the crass pursuit of power (Ciri, the elf) with otherwise “useless” but meaningful acts of care (cleaning rust from statues of beloved friends).
The creators use Frieren’s agelessness to contrast commodified life (where value = output) with a “call to action” to cherish the slow, small, relational moments.
Notable Quote [39:02] Leo:
"Frieren, the anime, the series calls us to slow down, polish a statue, plant some flowers. Because again, although those gestures can seem like they don't have a lot of power within them, sometimes it is that spell that makes a field of flowers. Sometimes it is that simple act of cleaning a statue or planting some new flowers that leads to the defeat of the great evil thing."

2. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Presented by Abu [41:58–54:42]

Abu’s “masterpiece” pick: a deeply political anime whose core plot revolves around war, genocide, power, trauma, and atonement.
Amestris, ruled by "Fuhrer King Bradley", is a thinly veiled stand-in for fascist dictatorships.
The Ishvalan War of Extermination directly echoes real-world conflicts, e.g., the Iraq War, Israel/Palestine, any pre-emptive war sparked by tragic incident and sustained for imperial ends.
[47:58] Abu:
"Even the average person can prop up fascism by simply not opposing it. Right. Not opposing something is also a statement."
The anime depicts violence’s generational impacts: both on the oppressed (Scar’s arc) and perpetrators (Roy Mustang’s guilt).
The show is also progressive in its sensibilities (female manga artist Hiromu Arakawa; subversion of anime’s historic male gaze and power fantasies).
[53:53] Abu:
"The political themes are extremely obvious in this show, but also extremely powerful and very relevant 20 years later."

3. Mob Psycho 100

Presented by Leo [56:29–71:29]

Another “not overtly political” anime on the surface, but one that challenges the tenets of power, privilege, and masculinity.
Follows Mob, a psychic boy haunted by his destructive potential, prioritizing character over innate ability.
[61:00] Leo (quoting):
"Are there things you can't have even if you use your powers?... Muscles... or the ability to understand girls... wisdom."
Mob rejects power as a source of worth, advocating the value of effort, vulnerability, and emotional growth (embodied by his time in the Body Improvement Club).
[65:43] Abu:
"Mob Psycho is like must-watch television for every young boy in America. Like, if you need something that's anti manosphere, Mob Psycho is anti manosphere."
The show directly addresses toxic masculinity, embracing kindness and humility as radical acts.

4. Psycho-Pass

Presented by Abu [71:38–82:40]

Highly political, cyberpunk crime anime about a Japan governed by the “Sybil” AI system, which calculates citizens’ likelihood to commit crimes—a Minority Report-esque surveillance dystopia.
The show deeply explores surveillance, the justice system, AI, human agency, and societal tradeoffs between security and freedom.
The Sybil system’s façade breaks when a mastermind criminal, undetected by the algorithm, unleashes mayhem, leading the protagonist to face the system’s inherent flaws.
[77:25] Abu:
"Every society around the whole world currently faces this existential question about how technology is invading our lives... and about the ways how those things can go wrong very quickly."
[81:27] Abu:
"Ultimately, I think the show asks us to consider what type of society, what type of system we want to live in, while acknowledging that there is no perfect system."
The ending is “bittersweet, murky, icky”—true to the real complexity of societal reform.

Honorable Mentions

Pluto (Netflix): Reimagining of Astro Boy with hard-hitting political themes.
Monster: Explores the creation of the "perfect leader," eugenics, and forms of evil within European and global history.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Escapism and Politics [13:21] Leo:
"Even fucking Love Island is political. The Kardashian show is a political thing. It's like all. Everything's political."
On Dismissing Analysis [14:35] Abu:
"To dismiss the art as just apolitical and not that deep...is oftentimes a disservice to the artist's work."
On the Value of Kindness [71:18] Abu:
"Kindness itself can often be a radical act."
On Mob Psycho’s Message [70:12] (quoting Vanessa Pina):
"Mob Psycho 100's central theme is that people aren’t better or worse than anyone else, but can always change and be who they want through hard work."
On Political Layers in Dune and Anime [24:36] Leo:
"Frank Herbert wrote a sci fi novel in the 50s. Sci fi novels were anime in 1950...It's just pulp. It's just whatever. And here we are, years later. So I'm asking you, dear listener, do you want to be on the right side of history or the wrong side of history?"

Timestamps for Key Segments

00:00–06:08: Intro, context for the episode
06:08–14:05: Why this episode? The Trash Taste/Hasan One Piece debate (clip and discussion)
14:05–24:36: The argument for all art as political; resistance to analysis
26:42–41:54: Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End (Leo’s pick and analysis)
41:58–54:42: Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (Abu’s pick and analysis)
56:29–71:29: Mob Psycho 100 (Leo’s pick and analysis)
71:38–82:40: Psycho-Pass (Abu’s pick and analysis)
83:09–84:13: Quick honorable mentions: Pluto, Monster, and their thematic relevance
84:13–End: Closing thoughts, merch updates, and invites for listener feedback

Concluding Thoughts

Anime, like Dune, often explores (sometimes overtly, sometimes in subtext) how power, privilege, trauma, and kindness shape individuals and societies.
The hosts reject “it’s just entertainment” as a cover for apathy or discouraging deeper engagement with art.
Whether it’s the introspective beauty of Frieren, the wrenching politics of Fullmetal Alchemist, the gentle rejection of toxic masculinity in Mob Psycho, or the chilling warnings in Psycho-Pass, these anime exemplify the richness that emerges when we engage with media thoughtfully.
The hosts invite listeners to join them in pushing back against “not that deep bro” attitudes—because it is, in fact, “all that deep.”

Listener Call to Action

What anime challenged or changed your worldview?
Which political themes from your favorite shows resonate with you or feel especially urgent today?
Write in to gomjabarpodcastmail.com to join the discussion!

Gom Jabbar: A Dune Podcast
Episode: "All Art Is Political: The Anime We Love"
Hosts: Abu & Leo
Date: December 5, 2025

Episode Overview

Key Points & Insights

Setting the Stage: Why This Conversation?

[03:52] Leo:

The inspiration for this episode came from a two-year-old viral clip on the Trash Taste podcast featuring streamer Hasan Piker, discussing One Piece as overtly political.
"Now, we on a Dune podcast that's been running for almost six years, get constantly harassed by people going, stop talking politics in your talking about a political art piece podcast."
There is persistent resistance among fans to engaging political themes in art, particularly in genres like anime or works like Dune.

[08:52–11:26] (Trash Taste/Hasan Piker clip discussion and reaction):

Hasan Piker argues One Piece is openly political (Che Guevara photo in Oda’s studio; Luffy as a “freedom fighter” against corrupt authority).
Trash Taste hosts initially laugh off the claim, illustrating broader fandom resistance to seeing anime as political.
Abu and Leo highlight that escapism itself cannot be separated from the context people “escape” from.

All Art Is Political: Challenging Escapism

[13:21] Leo:

"All art is seeped in the creator's worldview... in what they can and cannot say. There's all sorts of like, just any type of creation is political, period."
Even the most “brainless” media (Love Island, isekai anime) is shaped by—and in turn shapes—politics, values, and social roles.
“It’s not that deep” is a way of dismissing both artistic intent and the hopes of marginalized viewers—an act of privilege.

[14:35] Abu:

"To dismiss the art as just apolitical and not that deep... I think is oftentimes a disservice to the artist's work."
They encourage “vibing” and escapism, but warn against apathy and erasure of context, intention, and impact.

Highlighted Shows & Thematic Analysis

1. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End

Presented by Leo [26:42–41:54]

A fantasy anime that begins where most end: the heroes have saved the world, and Frieren, an ageless elf mage, outlives her comrades. The show meditates on memory, time, and meaning.
Not overtly about government or resistance; instead, it questions productivity culture and redefines value as human connection, not achievement.
[32:01] Leo: “It was only a 10 year journey. Right...for Frieren, it was just like one sort of side adventure.”
[36:11] Abu: The show contrasts the crass pursuit of power (Ciri, the elf) with otherwise “useless” but meaningful acts of care (cleaning rust from statues of beloved friends).
The creators use Frieren’s agelessness to contrast commodified life (where value = output) with a “call to action” to cherish the slow, small, relational moments.
Notable Quote [39:02] Leo:
"Frieren, the anime, the series calls us to slow down, polish a statue, plant some flowers. Because again, although those gestures can seem like they don't have a lot of power within them, sometimes it is that spell that makes a field of flowers. Sometimes it is that simple act of cleaning a statue or planting some new flowers that leads to the defeat of the great evil thing."

2. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Presented by Abu [41:58–54:42]

Abu’s “masterpiece” pick: a deeply political anime whose core plot revolves around war, genocide, power, trauma, and atonement.
Amestris, ruled by "Fuhrer King Bradley", is a thinly veiled stand-in for fascist dictatorships.
The Ishvalan War of Extermination directly echoes real-world conflicts, e.g., the Iraq War, Israel/Palestine, any pre-emptive war sparked by tragic incident and sustained for imperial ends.
[47:58] Abu:
"Even the average person can prop up fascism by simply not opposing it. Right. Not opposing something is also a statement."
The anime depicts violence’s generational impacts: both on the oppressed (Scar’s arc) and perpetrators (Roy Mustang’s guilt).
The show is also progressive in its sensibilities (female manga artist Hiromu Arakawa; subversion of anime’s historic male gaze and power fantasies).
[53:53] Abu:
"The political themes are extremely obvious in this show, but also extremely powerful and very relevant 20 years later."

3. Mob Psycho 100

Presented by Leo [56:29–71:29]

Another “not overtly political” anime on the surface, but one that challenges the tenets of power, privilege, and masculinity.
Follows Mob, a psychic boy haunted by his destructive potential, prioritizing character over innate ability.
[61:00] Leo (quoting):
"Are there things you can't have even if you use your powers?... Muscles... or the ability to understand girls... wisdom."
Mob rejects power as a source of worth, advocating the value of effort, vulnerability, and emotional growth (embodied by his time in the Body Improvement Club).
[65:43] Abu:
"Mob Psycho is like must-watch television for every young boy in America. Like, if you need something that's anti manosphere, Mob Psycho is anti manosphere."
The show directly addresses toxic masculinity, embracing kindness and humility as radical acts.

4. Psycho-Pass

Presented by Abu [71:38–82:40]

Highly political, cyberpunk crime anime about a Japan governed by the “Sybil” AI system, which calculates citizens’ likelihood to commit crimes—a Minority Report-esque surveillance dystopia.
The show deeply explores surveillance, the justice system, AI, human agency, and societal tradeoffs between security and freedom.
The Sybil system’s façade breaks when a mastermind criminal, undetected by the algorithm, unleashes mayhem, leading the protagonist to face the system’s inherent flaws.
[77:25] Abu:
"Every society around the whole world currently faces this existential question about how technology is invading our lives... and about the ways how those things can go wrong very quickly."
[81:27] Abu:
"Ultimately, I think the show asks us to consider what type of society, what type of system we want to live in, while acknowledging that there is no perfect system."
The ending is “bittersweet, murky, icky”—true to the real complexity of societal reform.

Honorable Mentions

Pluto (Netflix): Reimagining of Astro Boy with hard-hitting political themes.
Monster: Explores the creation of the "perfect leader," eugenics, and forms of evil within European and global history.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Escapism and Politics [13:21] Leo:
"Even fucking Love Island is political. The Kardashian show is a political thing. It's like all. Everything's political."
On Dismissing Analysis [14:35] Abu:
"To dismiss the art as just apolitical and not that deep...is oftentimes a disservice to the artist's work."
On the Value of Kindness [71:18] Abu:
"Kindness itself can often be a radical act."
On Mob Psycho’s Message [70:12] (quoting Vanessa Pina):
"Mob Psycho 100's central theme is that people aren’t better or worse than anyone else, but can always change and be who they want through hard work."
On Political Layers in Dune and Anime [24:36] Leo:
"Frank Herbert wrote a sci fi novel in the 50s. Sci fi novels were anime in 1950...It's just pulp. It's just whatever. And here we are, years later. So I'm asking you, dear listener, do you want to be on the right side of history or the wrong side of history?"

Timestamps for Key Segments

00:00–06:08: Intro, context for the episode
06:08–14:05: Why this episode? The Trash Taste/Hasan One Piece debate (clip and discussion)
14:05–24:36: The argument for all art as political; resistance to analysis
26:42–41:54: Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End (Leo’s pick and analysis)
41:58–54:42: Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (Abu’s pick and analysis)
56:29–71:29: Mob Psycho 100 (Leo’s pick and analysis)
71:38–82:40: Psycho-Pass (Abu’s pick and analysis)
83:09–84:13: Quick honorable mentions: Pluto, Monster, and their thematic relevance
84:13–End: Closing thoughts, merch updates, and invites for listener feedback

Concluding Thoughts

Anime, like Dune, often explores (sometimes overtly, sometimes in subtext) how power, privilege, trauma, and kindness shape individuals and societies.
The hosts reject “it’s just entertainment” as a cover for apathy or discouraging deeper engagement with art.
Whether it’s the introspective beauty of Frieren, the wrenching politics of Fullmetal Alchemist, the gentle rejection of toxic masculinity in Mob Psycho, or the chilling warnings in Psycho-Pass, these anime exemplify the richness that emerges when we engage with media thoughtfully.
The hosts invite listeners to join them in pushing back against “not that deep bro” attitudes—because it is, in fact, “all that deep.”

Listener Call to Action

What anime challenged or changed your worldview?
Which political themes from your favorite shows resonate with you or feel especially urgent today?
Write in to gomjabarpodcastmail.com to join the discussion!

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All Art Is Political: The Anime We Love

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Summary

Episode Overview

Key Points & Insights

Setting the Stage: Why This Conversation?

All Art Is Political: Challenging Escapism

Highlighted Shows & Thematic Analysis

1. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End

2. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

3. Mob Psycho 100

4. Psycho-Pass

Honorable Mentions

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Key Segments

Concluding Thoughts

Listener Call to Action

Summary

Episode Overview

Key Points & Insights

Setting the Stage: Why This Conversation?

All Art Is Political: Challenging Escapism

Highlighted Shows & Thematic Analysis

1. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End

2. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

3. Mob Psycho 100

4. Psycho-Pass

Honorable Mentions

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Key Segments

Concluding Thoughts

Listener Call to Action