Morphin' Buddies

This week, backstabbing, sneaking, and a plot heavy book have us thinking is this Jake's best book? First, we catch up on emails: plot holes, the Chee, Gianni's neck size, and a hot take!

Then we talk about distinguishing the ghostwritten books vs Applegate and Grant's writings, what kind of sounds would a Taxxon make, and a good cliff hanger ending. We guess how the series will wrap up and tease a potential new awards show.

All that and more in this week's episode with the penultimate book!!

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This week, we dive into the mysterious back story of The Ellimist! We start off with an in tune fan mail and a LinkedIn update. 

Then, how the heck do you read the first third of this book?? Aliens measure things in years and miles? What is a mones and how does one spread it? Someone dies??? WHAT ARE THE RULES HERE?

Finally, we end on our death tier list, a deranged idea, and a goal. All that and more in this week's episode!

Contact and reach out at morphinbuddies@gmail.com

The Ax centric book that ends with a BLAST! We start rolling down a log ride and talk about a possible Snapple sponsorship (probably not but it would be fun!)

Then, our silly moods get ready to set the stage for Cassie to suck and we talk about Rachel's character assassination once again. Plus, da bomb. Yes, we actually blow something up!

All that and more in this week's episode

Contact and reach out at morphinbuddies@gmail.com

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Our first in person recording! Kacey heads to Gianni's home to share a very sweet gift one of our Buddies sent. Then we go over listener emails and talk about our thoughts on Crayak and the Ellimist.

Then, duck morphs at the zoo, a lesson in communicating better, and a glove argument! We follow that with discussion on whether or not Tobias should be able to morph, first scene in a TV show vs first scene in a movie, and a genius buffa-human plushie idea!

Lastly, the concept of dips are gross. All that and...

This Cassie centric book almost made us lose our minds. (WE'RE UPSET) We begin with fan mail about Hork Bajir and a potential plot change that could really help the narrative. Followed by a wonderful representation of the disabled community so much inclusivity (yay!). But then the adults are awful, the cube gets stolen, and Cassie needs to go straight to jail.

Then, a discussion on the freedom of choice, the importance of consequences, and Jake finally gets the beat down that's been coming to him. All that and more in this week's episode!

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Somehow, someway, this episode was PLAGUED with technical issues: bad wifi, computer not charging, and connection issues but as the horror's persist, so do we! (I heard Mercury was in Gatorade at this time!)

Tobias gets reunited with his mom! We talk about blood centers, a return of tech we haven't seen in a while, and forklift shenanigans. Plus, lessons in doubling down and please for the love of everything that is holy, TELL US THE PLAN.

Let's get sloppy in today's episode with potentially Tobias' best book!

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We jump right into the book this week with a surprise return of some of our most HATED characters: David, Crayak, and the Drode. There's a big Yeerk attack on the White House! Or is there?? Gianni places a cursed image in Kacey's head that she can't shake. Plus, a debate on how to get away with stealing hundreds of dollar bills.

What are the rules and how will Rachel change moving forward? How much is 200 rats exactly and how can you tell? A battle with Visser 1, rapping rhymes, and Gianni can't tell Tobias from Jake. All...

This week, we return back to the secret Hork Bajir colony and do some civil war journaling! Diving into The Resistance, we have a valiant return of a Snapple fact while our brains melt in the first heat of summer. Gianni gets into the weeds with nitpicking and Kacey's smooth brain regains a wrinkle.

Then, Jake punches boxes, we discuss a certain nameless cryptid, and talk about how big beavers and swan's feet are. Followed with some classic Ellimist degradation (don't worry, he's into it), muppet assignments, and we ask ourselves how hidden is this secret valley?<...

Hang onto your pants because this episode goes OFF THE RAILS. Email catch up, military personnel, nukes and missiles, we've got you covered!

Plus, questions about the ozone layer, a big fight (and make up), military action (or lack thereof), and finally, a discussion on one of our favorite topics to make fun of: flat earth.

All that and more in this week's episode!

Contact and reach out at morphinbuddies@gmail.com

Social for Gianni: X (formally known as Twitter)- @gianni_damaia
Social for Kacey: Instagram- @kaceeyyyyyy

A jam packed episode today! We start off with some HUGE Animorphs news and a big ol' science check in, followed by a debate of a goofy tv show vs a serious tv show. 

Then, Marco's dad discovers Z-space and needs to go into hiding. He's not fond of Marco's lobster and there is some time for emotional beats and reflecting on how Marco gets the best books in the series. 

We move on to the value of encouragement, the limits of holograms, and major life changes for Marco. All that and more in this we...

Sorry folks, we can't lie to you; this book was a slog. Australia, you deserved better! We open with a surprise death and a conversation on losing your audience.

Then, flight logistics, racism, and a boomerang education! With gory surgery and one leg less than we started, this was a baffling book to say the least. But hey, it can only get better from here. (Right? RIGHT?! Please say yes)

Contact and reach out at morphinbuddies@gmail.com

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The Yeerk Peace Movement is BACK! But can we trust them??

We open this episode with a little freak email and Gianni poses a question to the fans. Then discussions of testing the balance between too dark vs backing away, Tobias has a smooth brain, and perhaps a new romance?

With a deaf boy getting lost in the woods and the beginning of Rachel's redemption arc, we dive headfirst into the book to see if Taylor's resurgence can really be trusted...

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Magic School Bus? More like Morphin' School Bus!

We open this episode with symptoms of a serial killer and an admission of newfound love for the Helmacrons. Alongside that, we've got discussions of a sexism civil war, weird synesthesia, and a kick-butt Barbie 4x4 arrival.

Plus, panicking in roach morph, a love triangle, and a rabies subplot??? Check out this week's wacky episode!

Contact and reach out at morphinbuddies@gmail.com

Social for Gianni: X (formally known as Twitter)- @gianni_damaia
Social for Kacey: Instagram- @kaceeyyyyyy

Another offshoot means another Megamorphs book. What if the gang had never cut through the construction site? They never met Elfangor, they never got their powers. Would they fall to the Yeerks or would they take up arms and fight?

We open this episode with a rather large jar of coffee and Gianni's computer dying a very loud, slow death. Then, a big list of emails to catch up on, a fan art request, and discussing the "rules" of chaos. 

Through the book, we talk about distinctive character writing and the frustration of removing agency. (L...

EDIT: Apologies for the out of order upload, folks! It was a very busy week and I completely spaced about the Megamorphs book. It will be uploaded next week!

The last of the colloquially called "fever dream" books is upon us! A quick trip into the future with a grown up Jake who looks much older than we expected for 25. (I guess an alien invasion does nothing for your skincare routine). 

Within this episode, we talk about weird forearms, Yeerk dating apps, killing the moon, and calculating some quick park math. Then, more questions come u...

We open this episode with our 3rd Buddy Awards! Best Buddy, Best Moment, and even a NEW category for this awards series! Then Kacey introduces Gianni to the monstrosity that is Vegemorphs.

When we get to the book, a very Bert and Ernie pilled secret romance emerges. The Heated Rivalry of the 90s that covers physical body issues and even Dick Cheney makes an appearance! All that and more in this jam-packed episode! 

Contact and reach out at morphinbuddies@gmail.com

Social for Gianni: X (formally known as Twitter)- @gianni_damaia
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One of the WILDEST books Gianni and I have read thus far! Beginning this episode, we start out with Gianni potentially converting to Judaism. Then the morphing tech jumps the shark with unclear rules and potential ramifications for the future of the box. 

With broken legs, talking animals, Gianni getting too thunk, and nightmare morphs, this may be the episode where your hosts are asking to get put down. Also, is Cassie the worst pet parent??

Tune in to find out!

Contact and reach out at morphinbuddies@gmail.com

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We are BACK, baby!! Gianni starts this episode off grumpy and offers a heartfelt apology to the myth, the legend, Seerowpedia. 

Then we get into the book, covering the romance, some misogyny, and a giant rant against the Chee. Plus, some 9/11 conspiracy theories???

All that and more in this week's episode!

Contact and reach out at morphinbuddies@gmail.com

Social for Gianni: X (formally known as Twitter)- @gianni_damaia
Social for Kacey: Instagram- @kaceeyyyyyy

Enjoy part 2 of the best of 2025. We will see you folks in two weeks with our regular episodes!

Contact and reach out at morphinbuddies@gmail.com

Social for Gianni: X (formally known as Twitter)- @gianni_damaia
Social for Kacey: Instagram- @kaceeyyyyyy

Happy Holidays Morphin' Buddies! Kacey and Gianni open this episode with a special Christmas gift exchange and then a collection of our best bits from this year. We had so many bits to include, it's going to be a two parter! So this week will be part 1 and next week will be part 2. 

We will be back in action with our regular episodes January 23rd. Have a great holiday and we can't wait to jump back into the series!

Contact and reach out at morphinbuddies@gmail.com

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The book that nearly gave Kacey a stroke. With the worst character assassination we've seen so far, a dramatic plane crash, and what Gianni calls potentially the best Jake book, you are certainly in for a treat.

Plus, unnatural limbs, an R2D2 impression, and a Taylor Swift hot take, you'll be wondering to yourself "WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?!" 

Contact and reach out at morphinbuddies@gmail.com

Social for Gianni: X (formally known as Twitter)- @gianni_damaia
Social for Kacey: Instagram- @kaceeyyyyyy

Atlantis plus House of Wax?! 

Kacey and Gianni dive into this underwater episode starting with an allergies vs stress email and how it could affect morphin' time. Then, we start in the fever dream of The Mutation: underwater nukes, dead bodies on display, and evolution from sheer force of will!

To quote the episode: "it was interesting, I don't know if I learned anything, but at least it's not dull!"

Contact and reach out at morphinbuddies@gmail.com

Social for Gianni: X (formally known as Twitter)- @gianni_damaia
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Join us on a deep dive into the long awaited book of Yeerk politics and Visser 1's backstory!

We open this episode talking about staying up late vs what is an appropriate sleepy time. Then we address a small mistake from a previous book and get a VERY detailed fan mail about the criminal background of Michael Grant!

Later on, we read a delayed Snapple fact, talk about a potential blackmailing/betrayal situation, read a subtle reference to drugs, and see a barely there mention of the Holocaust. All that and more in this week's...

Poodle, proposal, and pre-teen emotions: Is this book a new "The Reaction"?!

We open the episode with Gianni's story of how he got his new nickname (and now he's telling everyone). Then, discussions of ways to look at grief: either comical or tragic, adhering to previously stated fiction rules, and could this be the best Cassie book??

Plus, gripes with American Horror Story, a shocking parrot story, and expressing disappointment for how low the bar is for a modern crash-out.

Contact and reach out at morphinbuddies@gmail.com

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This week, we talk about one of the stronger Cassie books and get to interact with Aldrea once again!

In the beginning, Gianni gives out wedding advice and we read our first Youtube comment (along with gaining some more science/morphing explanations). Then, diving into the book, there are discussions of purity culture, a confusing battle, and remembering how we lived in Cringe City when we were younger. 

Plus, connection advice during stress, a mention of an erotic comedy film, and confirmation that yes, The Phantom Menace is indeed very cool. All that and more i...

Who's ready for some TORTURRRREEEEE?!?! We've got a book half filled with pain and pleasure with our saddest bird boy (boy bird?) Tobias! Great prose, a strong, character focused adventure, and learning how to grow up.

We open with a pun email and some hair talk. Gianni tries some pun acceptance and Kacey confronts her cynicism on rom coms. Then, complaints about The Walking Dead, confusing Yeerk politics/hierarchy, and some romance?!

Plus, slutty Principal Chapman, a secret slide entrance, and a special appearance from the Goo Goo Dolls!

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Someone in the Animorphs has been split into two! What the heck!

Gianni and Kacey open this episode up with AC: Odyssey and a horror trope Kacey is SICK OF SEEING. Then, Gianni talks about the type of energy he was looking for in this book and Kacey mentions a creep she went to school with in college.

Plus, throat grabbing, bird threatening, and BLIND RAGE. All that and more in this episode of Morphin' Buddies!

Contact and reach out at morphinbuddies@gmail.com

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Jake's grandfather just died and his family needs to leave the city...for 4 days. Tom is upset and the Animorphs need to stop him from harming Jake's family.

Opening with some Snapple ASMR and a strong caffeine avoidance, Kacey and Gianni dive into the absurdity of this book and how things escalate WAY TOO QUICKLY. Drive bys, a kidnapping, and no contingency plans?!?!, this episode has it all. And just a heads up, there is a slight audio issue with Gianni's audio in the middle of the episode, but it quickly passes.

Plus, a good...

Marco, mountain goats, and mommies!

We open with a Snapple-less Gianni tempting fate with a potential new oral fixation and Kacey gets excited for the end of her Invisalign journey. Then we open a science email musing on the logistics of inter-species infections.

Then, as we get into the book, we reflect on the power of choices and the pain of the choice being forcibly taken away, confusing Yeerk hierarchy rules, and the fun of getting into a real villain's mind again. Plus, a new building location, bad puns, and an amazing idea for a...

Welcome one and all to our second deci-book-ennial awards ceremony, The Buddies! In this episode, we hand out awards and read through Alternamorphs #1, the choose your own adventure book. Will Gianni get stuck in morph? Will Kacey die a gruesome, squished death? And which one of our fans will be awarded Best Buddy???

Tune in to find out :)

Contact and reach out at morphinbuddies@gmail.com

Social for Gianni: X (formally known as Twitter)- @gianni_damaia
Social for Kacey: Instagram- @kaceeyyyyyy

Time travel, an exciting chase, and a death in the group?!! Oh wait, SEVERAL deaths???

Gianni and Kacey open this episode with some "fantastic" questions, gripes about movie theatres, and Julia Roberts in the aggregate (a phrase that did not exist until now). Then, several fan mail explanations and theories, racism, and a reveal that we were not told about?? Plus a bit of teasing about next episode's Buddy Awards!

All that and more in this week's episode!

Contact and reach out at morphinbuddies@gmail.com

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He's ALIIIIIIIIVEEEEEE!!! Gianni opens our episode with a Snapple fact and talking about eyelids, happy to be feeling better. Unlike the plot of this book, with some characters who may not be alive much longer!

We dive into the book discussing the intertwining plots, a new peace movement, and how alien diseases can manifest in human bodies. Also, the overwhelming feeling of making decisions for the group, an unexpected deep dive into who is the best Spice Girl, and Kacey's terrible reason as to why her high school did not have a prom king and...

We open this episode with a surprise guest and a conversation about slow, boomer technology. Later on, Gianni gets into his current JRPG obsession, confusing Snapple facts, and more science based listener emails!

This book gets deeply into a slaughterhouse, which was unexpected. Kacey schools Gianni on cow tipping (and how it's terrible!). Plus, hate towards centipedes and long limbs, subs vs dubs, and squid dynamics. All that and more in this week's episode!

Contact and reach out at morphinbuddies@gmail.com

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We open this episode with a celebration and SHOTS! Kacey has some great news and Gianni harkens back to his college days with a familiar alcohol choice. A game is played and they defend their choices with ten toes down.

Within the meat of the episode lies android drama, a Wild Card, Mission Impossible coins, and one of the hosts feels like they're having a stroke. Plus, has Jake gone back to sucking?? All that and more in this week's tipsy episode.

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We open this episode with an ATTACK.....OF ALLERGIES!! Both Kacey and Gianni complain about the amount of pollen in the air. But that's not the only thing in the air...Gianni also comments on how many people he knows that are getting married and the crushing reality of his loneliness (just kidding, he's actually ok. Probably.)

Later on, we get into a genius idea sent to us in an email, what actually is the Ellimist and who we'd pick to play him, and a satisfying romantic reveal! All that and more in this episode!

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Brrrrrr!! We voyage to the north pole this episode and open with a very creative listener email and some new science Gianni discovered recently! Then, Kacey gives a shout out, Gianni discusses his new #1 enemy, and a slight distraction of body horror leads us to talk about our favorite horror/thriller movies. With this book containing hologram variables, a grey area of (potential) racism, and the morality of eating a dead seal parent in front of her babies, what else could you want in a story?! All that and more in this week's episode!

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This week's episode, we open with Snapple love and an email from a new morphin' bud! Gianni brings up some of his favorite movies, Game of Thrones, and his frustrations with things being too goofy while Kacey enjoys the goofiness and teases a possible return of the Helmacrons. 

Contact and reach out at morphinbuddies@gmail.com

Social for Gianni: X (formally known as Twitter)- @gianni_damaia
Social for Kacey: Instagram- @kaceeyyyyyy

Apologies for the mistake two weeks ago but we are now back on track! This episode contains a fan email about morphing healing wounds, conversations about spooky books, angry toast monsters, and TRASH (reality tv) TALK.

Connect to Mother Sky and Father Deep with us as we explore this offshoot of Animorphs!

Contact and reach out at morphinbuddies@gmail.com

Social for Gianni: X (formally known as Twitter)- @gianni_damaia
Social for Kacey: Instagram- @kaceeyyyyyy

EDIT: Whoops! Sorry folks! Got my episodes mixed up this week and uploaded the wrong episode. Hork Bajir Chronicles will be uploaded next instead of book 24 and then we'll be back in the correct order. My apologies! Enjoy the early release!

Romance blossoms throughout this episode! We open up with a shout out to a beautiful bookshop in NYC and a new series Kacey has started on her own. Gianni comments on what he's missing and they both talk about enjoying slop.

As we get more into the episode, Before Sunrise gets called out with...

Here we are at the end of the David trilogy! We open with our science buddy Ryan and "Just a Bird" Jimmy, sending us emails on more science facts and our bird friend became a MURDERER?! Then, a twist ending on a stressful test Gianni takes (can our buddies see the results before they're revealed??)

Plus, overdramatic acting, boners in the sky, pitched tag lines for the next book, and a surprise vegetable comparison!

Will David be stopped?? Will Kacey remember the ending?? And will Gianni finally end his search for a better book than...