If you’ve spent more than five minutes on the "anime side" of the internet, you know Joseph Bizinger. Most people just call him Joey. Or, more famously, The Anime Man. It’s a bit of a legacy name at this point because, honestly, he doesn't actually talk about seasonal anime all that much anymore. He’s transitioned into this fascinating, multi-faceted creator who manages to bridge the gap between Western internet culture and the often-insular world of Japanese media. He’s half-Japanese, half-Australian, and 100% unapologetic about his opinions, which is exactly why he’s stayed relevant for over a decade while other creators from the 2013 era have totally faded away.
The thing about Joey is that he’s not just a guy with a webcam and a Crunchyroll subscription. He’s a musician. He’s a podcaster. He’s a business owner. He’s a guy who moved to Japan and actually integrated, rather than just being a tourist with a long-term visa. That perspective matters. It changes the way he talks about the industry. When he critiques a manga or interviews a legendary creator like Tite Kubo, it doesn't feel like a fanboy geeking out—though he definitely does that—it feels like a legitimate conversation between peers.
The Evolution of Joey The Anime Man
Back in the day, the channel was exactly what you’d expect. Top ten lists. Rants about "Sword Art Online." Seasonal previews. It was the standard "Anitube" starter pack. But something shifted around 2016 and 2017. Joey started leaning harder into his life in Japan. He realized that people weren't just there for his take on the latest shonen jump hit; they were there for him.
The move to Tokyo was the turning point. Living in Japan allowed him to do things no one else in the space was doing. He started the "Answer Me Senpai" series. He began visiting studios. He did high-production-value vlogs that looked more like documentaries than YouTube videos. He wasn't just consuming the culture; he was showing us the mechanics of it. That’s a huge distinction. It’s the difference between reviewing a car and taking the viewer inside the factory.
Why the "Hate" for Modern Anime?
You’ll often see comments or Reddit threads claiming Joey "hates" anime now. It’s a common trope. People say he’s "too cool" for it or that he’s lost his passion. Personally? I think that’s a massive misunderstanding of how taste evolves. When you’ve watched thousands of hours of content, you get picky. You start to see the tropes coming from a mile away.
Joey has been very open about the fact that he finds a lot of modern "isekai" trash to be, well, trash. And he’s right. The market is oversaturated. Instead of pretending to love every new "reincarnated as a vending machine" show, he pivoted to manga, light novels, and obscure visual novels. This authenticity is his superpower. If Joey says a manga is good, his audience knows he’s not just saying it to get views from a trending topic. He’s saying it because he actually stayed up until 4:00 AM reading it.
📖 Related: Despicable Me 2 Edith: Why the Middle Child is Secretly the Best Part of the Movie
The Trash Taste Phenomenon
We have to talk about the podcast. You cannot discuss Joey The Anime Man in 2026 without acknowledging Trash Taste. Alongside Gigguk (Garnt Maneetapho) and CDawgVA (Connor Colquhoun), Joey helped create what is arguably the most successful creator-led podcast in the anime sphere.
Ironically, they rarely talk about anime.
The podcast became a cultural juggernaut because of the chemistry between the three. Joey often plays the "straight man" or the "knowledgeable local," providing the cultural context that Garnt and Connor might miss. It’s through Trash Taste that we’ve seen the most "human" version of Joey. We see his stubbornness (especially about food—the "no crust" debate will live in infamy), his business acumen, and his genuine friendships. It turned him from a "YouTuber" into a "Personality."
The Music and the "Ikazuchi" Era
A lot of newer fans don't realize that Joey is a classically trained musician. He isn't just a guy who likes J-Pop; he creates music under the name Ikazuchi. This isn't some vanity project where a YouTuber hires a ghostwriter. He’s deeply involved in the production.
His musical taste is incredibly eclectic. He’s been a vocal supporter of Japanese rock and indie scenes for years. This musicality often bleeds into his main channel content. Whether it’s his "Monthly Otaku Collection" videos or his deep dives into Japanese subcultures, there’s always an appreciation for the aesthetic and the sound. He treats the medium of "The Anime Man" as an art form itself, focusing on editing and pacing in a way that feels cinematic.
👉 See also: Death Wish II: Why This Sleazy Sequel Still Triggers People Today
Dealing with the "Elitist" Label
Is Joey an elitist? Maybe. A little bit.
But honestly, the "elitist" label is usually just thrown at anyone who has a strong opinion that goes against the grain. Joey doesn't care about the MAL (MyAnimeList) rankings. He doesn't care if a show is the most popular thing on Netflix. He’s been around long enough to see trends come and go.
He’s also been incredibly transparent about the "Japan" experience. He doesn't romanticize it. He talks about the bureaucracy, the loneliness, and the weird social pressures. This honesty is refreshing in a sea of "Japan is a literal anime wonderland" vlogs. By showing the cracks in the armor, he actually makes the culture more accessible and real to his audience.
The Business of Being Joey
People underestimate the work that goes on behind the scenes. Managing a main channel with millions of subscribers, a secondary channel ("Joey"), a massive podcast, a clothing brand (Nonsense), and various collaborations is a logistical nightmare.
Joey has mastered the art of the "brand." When you buy a shirt from Nonsense, you aren't just buying anime merch. You’re buying into an aesthetic that he has curated over years. It’s subtle. It’s stylish. It doesn't scream "I watch cartoons" in a way that makes people uncomfortable at a dinner party. It’s reflective of his own growth—from a kid in his bedroom to a man running a media empire in Tokyo.
✨ Don't miss: Dark Reign Fantastic Four: Why This Weirdly Political Comic Still Holds Up
Real-World Impact and Advocacy
Joey has used his platform for more than just entertainment. He’s raised significant amounts of money for charity through the Trash Taste 24-hour livestreams and the various cycling challenges they’ve done across Japan. He’s also been a vocal advocate for better working conditions in the anime industry, even if he knows his voice is just one of many. He understands his influence. He knows that when he speaks, people listen, and he’s become much more intentional about what he says as he’s gotten older.
Why He Matters in 2026
The internet is fickle. Trends change. New creators pop up every day with faster edits and louder voices. But Joey remains. He remains because he’s authentic. He hasn't tried to "chase the algorithm" to the point of losing his soul. He still does the videos he wants to do, even if they aren't going to get ten million views.
He represents the "Old Guard" of Anitube that actually managed to grow up. He’s a bridge. For a kid in the US or Europe who is just discovering anime, Joey is the cool older brother who shows them that there is so much more to the medium than just the hits. He shows them that you can move to Japan, you can learn the language, and you can build a life there.
How to Get the Most Out of His Content
If you're new to the world of Joey The Anime Man, don't just start with his newest upload. You’ll be lost in a sea of inside jokes.
Go back. Watch the "Japan Vlogs" from five years ago. Watch his interviews with manga authors. Those are the videos where his expertise really shines. If you want the chaotic energy, dive into Trash Taste. If you want the deep-cut recommendations, look for his "underrated manga" videos.
Actionable Steps for Aspiring Creators
Joey’s career offers a blueprint for longevity in the creator economy. Here is how you can apply his "philosophy" to your own journey:
- Niche Down, Then Scale Out. He started with a very specific niche (Anime) and only expanded once he had a bedrock of loyal fans who cared about him more than the topic.
- Move to the Source. You don't have to move to Japan, but you should move to wherever your industry's "heart" is. Proximity creates opportunities that the internet alone cannot provide.
- Be Brutally Honest. People can smell a fake. If you hate something that everyone else loves, say it. You’ll lose the casual fans but gain a "ride or die" core audience.
- Diversify Your Income. Don't rely on AdSense. Joey has merch, podcasts, and sponsorships. If YouTube disappeared tomorrow, he’d still be a wealthy man with a thriving career.
- Quality Over Quantity. In the later stages of his career, Joey stopped the daily grind. He focused on bigger, better projects. This prevents burnout and keeps the audience from getting "viewer fatigue."
Joey isn't just an "anime YouTuber." He’s a cultural commentator who happens to love (and sometimes hate) anime. He’s the guy who stayed true to himself while the entire world changed around him, and that is why he’s still at the top of the game. Regardless of whether you agree with his takes on "Fullmetal Alchemist" or his opinions on whether or not wings are better than boneless chicken, you have to respect the hustle. He built a bridge between two worlds, and millions of us are still crossing it every day.