As a dedicated One Piece fan, I’ve been riding the waves of anticipation and anxiety, waiting for some good news. Finally, it’s here! The manga is set to return from its unexpected break this Fall, bringing much-needed relief to our community. It’s been a challenging stretch for us, with the anime, manga, and even live-action projects all ongoing, but without a new installment for quite some time.
As the holiday season swiftly approaches, so too does the influx of festive films! Before the snow starts falling, “Red One” has already graced our cinemas. Although many critics have been less than enthusiastic about it, this movie embraces traditional Christmas lore without getting lost in unnecessary complexities.
symbols on Pokemon trading cards have been a longstanding feature in the physical Pokemon Trading Card Game (TCG), marked with promo stamps to distinguish cards from special, themed packs. Similarly, the mobile game Pokemon TCG Pocket is introducing Promo Cards, which can be acquired through unique events like the Venusaur Solo Battle Event or Wonder Pick Events. While the prospect of more cards to accumulate might seem thrilling, players have a major concern regarding these promo packs.
In the heart of the much-awaited clash between Blue Lock’s youngsters and the U-20 Japan team, Blue Lock Season 2 is nearing its climax with a prolonged finale scheduled for later this year. However, the second season of Blue Lock has sparked intense discussion among fans since it followed the highly acclaimed first season. Critics claim that Season 2 hasn’t met the exceptional standards set by the initial run. Yet, as the game against U-20 Japan heats up, there seems to be a change in momentum.
Back in the late ’90s, I stumbled upon a game-changing anime that left an indelible mark on me – Neon Genesis Evangelion. This masterpiece broke barriers in storytelling and artistry, and it was truly ahead of its time when it premiered in 1997. It racked up accolades like the Animation Kobe Award in ’96 and ’97, the Nihon SF Taisho Award, and even the Excellence Award at Japan’s inaugural Media Arts Festival in ’97.
Kaiju No. 8 is about Kafka Habino, a 32-year-old employee who removes kaijus from society, dreaming of joining the Japanese Anti-Kaiju Defense Force. Released in April, Season 1 shows Kafka’s pursuit to fight alongside his old friend Ashiro Mina, now the commander of the Third Division. However, his ambition is disrupted when he inexplicably turns into a kaiju himself. In August 2024, it was revealed that Kaiju No. 8 Season 2 would air in 2025, along with a cinematic release of The Kaiju No. 8 Movie, a combination of the first season including an exclusive episode. Recently, viewers have been given sneak peeks of Hoshina Soshiro, the talented deputy commander of the Third Division.