Games

As someone who has spent countless hours immersed in the captivating world of anime and manga, I have to admit that I’ve always had a soft spot for the magical girl genre. Growing up, shows like Sailor Moon and Cardcaptor Sakura were an integral part of my childhood, offering a unique blend of action, romance, and friendship that resonated deeply with me.

However, in recent years, I’ve noticed a refreshing trend of creators reimagining the magical girl trope in innovative ways. Some series take the genre to darker, more otherworldly places, while others choose to explore its mundane aspects.

It is precisely this latter approach that sets Magilumiere Co. Ltd., a new anime from J.C. Staff and Studio Moe, apart from the rest. This show takes the lives of magical girls and turns them into a commercialized spectacle, much like the hero society in My Hero Academia. As someone who has followed both the magical girl genre and superhero tropes for many years, I am eager to see how this unique blend will unfold.

I’m particularly intrigued by the prospect of a magical girl series that delves into the business side of being a magical girl, a topic that has rarely been explored in the genre. If done well, it could offer a fresh perspective on a classic story setup and provide an entertaining viewing experience for fans like myself. I’m excited to see where Magilumiere Co. Ltd. takes us on this new journey.

One strength of Netflix has consistently been producing shows that keep subscribers coming back for more. Streaming services like Hulu and Max also have compelling content, but the phrase “Netflix and chill” remains popular. Regrettably, another constant with Netflix is cancelling shows prematurely. When you consider all the TV series Netflix cancelled in 2024, it’s likely you’ll feel quite disheartened; nonetheless, these are ten Netflix originals that people around the world are still upset about no longer having access to.

With Robert Eggers’ “Nosferatu” hitting theaters, this seems like the perfect opportunity to delve into the rich history of vampire movies! For more than a hundred years, artists from around the world have offered their unique perspectives on how a vampire story should unfold, and the results have been varied. Yet, in those films, there are definitely some gems waiting to be discovered.

Note: This discussion includes spoilers for season 2 of ‘Squid Game’. In ‘Squid Game’ season 2, Lee Byung-hun’s character, the Front Man, tells Lee Jung-jae’s character, Gi-hun, that if the world doesn’t change, the games will never cease. As Player 456, Gi-hun won a 45.6 billion won prize in the 33rd Squid Game and is now using his winnings to try and stop the deadly games for good over a three-year period. However, Gi-hun isn’t the only returning winner from the game: Hwang In-ho, also known as the Front Man, assumes the identity of Player 001 after winning the 28th Squid Game in 2015.

Although the holidays have passed, the Christmas thriller on Netflix, “Carry-On“, has maintained its momentum as we welcome a new year. While the holiday rom-coms and Santa adventures from the streaming service no longer occupy top positions in the daily charts, they continue to hold their reign as the most popular movie on Netflix.

Now that 2025 is here, it’s time for AEW and WWE’s transition to streaming.