5 GMs in a Trenchcoat is an award-winning BIPOC-lead actual play studio with an interesting casting approach: as the name suggests, each cast member is a Game Master. For each series or campaign season, the cast rotates which member weaves the story as GM, as well as what TTRPG system will be used.
Five BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ Game Masters and TTRPG enthusiasts make up the main cast, along with invited guests to fill a variety of roles throughout their many stories.
Episodes listened to
I took a different approach for this podcast. I listened to the majority of their limited series 5 GMs Presents, as opposed to listening to the main campaigns. With this approach, I wanted to see how each of the GMs performed in their own rights and own stories; this way, I was able to experience almost all of them as the host. It was also an opportunity to explore some of the alternate TTRPG systems the group has used.
In order, the following are the 5 GMs Presents series I have listened to:
Enter the Spider-Verse (w/LatinosAgainstSpookyShit) – (4 episodes – 5+ hours)
- GM’d and hosted by Adam Gonzalez using the Marvels Multiverse RPG (Playtest version) system.
Prehistoric Panic (w/GameRaterGirl and Keshia from Reel Scrolls Film Co.) – (4 episodes – 4+ hours)
- GM’d and hosted by Adam Gonzalez using the Escape from Dino Island supplement for the Powered by the Apocalypse system.
Heartland Home (4 episodes – 4+ hours )
- GM’d and hosted by Kim Tsuyuki using the Perils and Princesses system.
Students of Strixhaven (w/Kurohitsuki) (4 episodes – 4+ hours)
- GM’d and hosted by Adam Gonzalez using the Dungeons and Dragons system.
The Gate to the Old World (4 episodes – 4+ hours)
- GM’d and hosted by Adam Gonzalez using the Dreams and Machines system.
Dead Man’s Arbitrage (w/Utahime) (5 episodes – 4+ hours)
- GM’d and hosted by Jesse Espinoza using the Songs of the Spellbound Sea supplement for Dungeons and Dragons.
A Dinner at Crown Hall College (3 episodes – 3+ hours)
- GM’d and hosted by Tanlynn Morgan using the Our Brilliant Ruin system.
Total Listening Time: 29+ hours
The Cast of 5 GMs in a Trenchcoat
The main cast of 5 GMs in a Trenchcoat includes Adam Gonzales (he/they), Kim Tsuyuki (she/her), Tanlynn Morgan (they/she), and Jesse Espinoza (he/him). Each cast member brings a unique flair and personality to the table, encouraging a variety of different game and roleplay styles. With each series, the cast, as well as their guests, bring a distinct new flavor of character to the game, creating a unique story with each episode.
The cast as a whole feels like friends telling stories, rather than a production selling a show. It’s refreshing experience to feel like you are a part of the table, opposed to an outside viewer, and the cast welcomes you to sit with them.
Each member of the party takes their role as a personality for the table serious enough to accurately portray their character, while staying grounded in reality enough to realize that at the end of the day, it is just a game.
Actual Play and Storytelling
Each series that I listened through was wholly unique, taking an entirely different approach with each story. With a new theme and system each time, as well as a new GM hosting, every series was its own experience. From series inspired by popular media, to dramas staked in eldritch horror, there is a 5 GMs Presents experience tailored towards every genre and fan.
Enter the Spider-Verse is, as the title suggests, set in the Spiderman multiverse and sees the cast don personas as different universes’ friendly neighborhood Spider-person. The series starts as a parody of the multiverse trope, but quickly shifts into a high-stakes battle for the fate of the Spiderverse.
Prehistoric Panic drops the players into a Jurassic Park-esque world of real-life monsters: dinosaurs. With obvious inspiration from the popular series, this mini-series is as enjoyable as the family classic.
Students of Strixhaven takes a popular series-that-shall-not-be-named idea and twists it into a high-fantasy, high-humor and high-stakes mini-series. How often should students at a school for magic be tasked with saving the world? Or at least, just their school.
A Dinner at Crown Hall College is steeped in eldritch horror. This noir-esque drama is brimming with intrigue, betrayal and corruption. This mini-series will keep listeners second guessing, while at the same time expecting what is next to come.
These four series alone show the range of genres which 5 GMs in a Trenchcoat explore through their gameplay, yet they still offer more. Each series is different from the last, and the cast enthusiastically embraces the opportunity to portray such a variety of characters.
The stories they weave are true to their inspirations, but wholly enjoyable as their own unique tales.
My Impressions
Two strengths:
With every player being a GM, they recognize the annoyances and frustrations that are common for the host seat. They avoid stereotypical hindrances, such as not being prepared on their turn in combat, creating fast paced and seamless gameplay. As players, they are each well-versed in each system they use, coming into each game with understanding and knowledge of how the particular TTRPG is run.
Each GM is a stern professional, understanding the nuances and intricacies of how to run a game that is equal parts fulfilling, entertaining and balanced. Their deep knowledge of each game allows for a seamless shift between characters, personalities and storytelling, that creates a rich experience for the listener.
One weakness:
The voice acting leaves something to be desired; while many of the performers use inflection or accents to give each character their own unique flair, the characters true identity comes from the roleplay – not the voice acting.
One outstanding:
The stories they weave are, at the very core, experiences. Each game is fun, every story enjoyable, and each character relatable. Listening to the podcast feels like sitting at the table with friends, enjoying a well earned reprieve from the real world.
Overall Impression of 5 GMs in a Trenchcoat
5 GMs in a Trenchcoat is a group of professional hobbyists, enthusiastically playing a variety of systems. Their in-depth knowledge of how to run roleplaying games allows them to tease the boundaries of the game, while faithfully remaining within the ruleset for their system. Their adept abilities in roleplaying, setting aside the real world for an adventure, makes for an incredibly enjoyable listening experience.
Where to listen to 5 GMs in a Trenchcoat
5 GMs in a Trenchcoat can be found on most of the major podcasting services:
You can also listen directly on their website, https://www.5gmsinatrenchcoat.com/listen-here.
More from 5 GMs in a Trenchcoat
Aside from their limited series, 5 GMs Presents, 5 GMs in a Trenchcoat is currently on their 4th season for their main campaign.
Additionally one more mini-series has been released since I finished my listen through of the Podcast.
- Tarkir: Weathering the Storm – 5 GMs Presents miniseries – 2 Episodes (Complete)
- Season One of their main campaign – 41 Episodes (Complete)
- Season Two of their main campaign – 14 Episodes (Complete)
- Season Three of their main campaign – 15 Episodes (Complete)
- Season Four of their main campaign – 7 Episodes (Ongoing)
- You can follow 5 GMs in a Trenchcoat on Bluesky.
Hi, I’m Reforged Existence! Or, RexBrews for short!
I’m a highly dedicated DM, Homebrewer of magic items and spells, worldbuilder and writer! Playing TTRPGs for nearly 10 years, I have a variety of games under my belt, but specialize in D&D! I will be publishing TTRPG actual play, podcasts and stream reviews! These reviews will highlight what is special about these shows, pros and cons to watching or listening and other important information (format, setting, cast etc.).