Games

The reason why Marvel Studios’ post-credit scenes are well-known is clear. They didn’t invent the concept of adding small scenes during the end credits of a movie, but they definitely made it popular and revolutionized the experience for those leaving screenings of superhero films. However, it’s important to note that the Marvel Cinematic Universe isn’t immune to occasional missteps when it comes to these post-credits scenes. In fact, some might argue that more than a few have missed their mark.

As a lifelong gamer and long-time resident of Japan, I’ve noticed a consistent trend in the Japanese gaming market that has left me scratching my head for years: the dominance of Nintendo games in the Weekly Famitsu physical sales charts, while PlayStation titles struggle to keep up. It seems that many of my fellow PlayStation owners in Japan are not represented on these charts, leading me to wonder what they’re actually playing! This phenomenon is particularly striking given the popularity of PlayStation consoles and exclusives, such as God of War and The Last of Us, which have garnered critical acclaim worldwide. As someone who has followed the Japanese gaming industry closely for many years, it’s fascinating to observe these trends and try to decipher what they might mean for the future of gaming in Japan.

Enthusiasts of R.L Stine’s Fear Street series have plenty to anticipate, with the Netflix adaptation of “Prom Queen” just one of many reasons. As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, not only is a new trilogy of films in development for Netflix, but there will also be three more Fear Street movies added to the franchise this year. To top it off, a fourth film is expected to premiere this year, leading into a fresh trilogy set within the eerie and frequently lethal town of Shadyside.

A recent gossip from Andy Robinson hints that Sony might be reviving old game series, some of which fans may not recall. The robot-themed game Astrobot by Sony could possibly indicate a comeback of one such series. With so many studios and IPs owned by Sony, this could mean almost anything. Whether this rumor will materialize or not remains to be seen, but interested parties can listen to The Video Game Podcast to hear more about Robinson’s discussion.

Marvel enthusiasts are welcoming the New Year by extending birthday wishes to Florence Pugh, who plays Yelena Belova – the sister of Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow – in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Yelena was introduced in last year’s ‘Black Widow’, and made a cameo in the Disney+ series ‘Hawkeye’. However, she will be taking on a more significant role this year in ‘Thunderbolts’. With Black Widow out of the picture, it falls to her sister, the White Widow, to continue the work of reformed Red Room agents. As we countdown to May when ‘Thunderbolts’ is set to debut, let’s kick off January by celebrating Florence Pugh’s birthday.

Looking forward to the forthcoming anime series “Solo Camping for Two” (or “Futari Solo Camp” in Japanese), we’re experiencing an intense case of “wish-we-were-there” feeling, as we huddle up under our warm blankets amidst Winter’s chill. This heartwarming slice-of-life camping anime is adapted from the manga by Yudai Debata, which was initially serialized in Kodansha’s seinen magazine, Evening. The first chapter of this captivating series was released in October 2018. Following a brief interruption in 2023, the story continues to unfold and captivate its readers.