Games

With more talk about anime and manga being banned, I decided to explore some series that have faced restrictions around the world. These anime were banned for various reasons – from conflicting with religious beliefs to containing mature themes like sex and violence. Some of the reasons for the bans might seem surprising, while others make sense, especially when considering the impact on younger or impressionable viewers. Whatever the reason, these bans raise an important question: how far should we go when limiting access to media?

While *The Simpsons* has occasionally featured sad characters, it’s primarily a funny show. Over its many years, there have been tons of hilarious moments, often thanks to characters who aren’t main players. Despite providing some of the show’s funniest scenes, these supporting characters often have small roles and aren’t featured much throughout *The Simpsons*’ long history.

Fans recently made a surprising discovery in the final episode of *Peacemaker* season two—and possibly the series. While the camera focused on John Cena’s Christopher Smith and Jennifer Holland’s Emilia Harcourt during Foxxy Shazam’s performance of the theme song, sharp-eyed viewers noticed a recognizable figure with a white beard, spiky hair, and black glasses hiding in the background.

Because *Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo* is set some time after the original series, we haven’t seen much of the characters fans already know and love. While the first season concluded happily, many viewers were eager to see Yuji and his friends back in action. The latest chapter of the sequel finally delivers, giving fans a first look at how Yuji has grown as a fighter.

Some films, despite not being critically acclaimed, have surprisingly gained a dedicated fanbase – think movies like *Kuffs*, *Passenger 57*, and *Judgment Night*. The following movies aren’t quite in that ‘cult classic’ category, but they’re consistently good films that deserve more recognition and a larger following.

If you haven’t heard of it, *Freddy’s Nightmares* was a TV series that ran from 1988 to 1990. Each episode featured a different, scary story about dangerous dreams. Robert Englund, famous for playing Freddy Krueger in *A Nightmare on Elm Street*, hosted the show, introducing each story. He even appeared *in* eight of those stories as the villain.

As a PlayStation Plus member, I was really excited to see what games were included for October, and they didn’t disappoint! We got three titles: *Alan Wake 2*, *Cocoon*, and *Goat Simulator 3*. Each one is fun in its own way, but *Cocoon* was a real standout last year – Xbox Game Pass subscribers were raving about it as a surprise hit in 2023. Honestly though, *Alan Wake 2* is the big draw here. It came out last year and was easily one of the best games of the year, and I’m discovering it really shows off what the PS5 can do graphically – the visuals are stunning!

As a huge fan, what I’m really hoping for is something that honors the source material but also feels fresh and new. It needs a good reason to exist alongside the books and films – a genuinely creative reason, not just a copy. And it’s exciting to hear they’re striking that balance! For example, set photos showed Dumbledore with Nicolas Flamel and his wife, Perenelle, in scenes that weren’t in the movies *or* the books. That shows they’re willing to invent new moments and explore the world in a different way, which is exactly what I want to see!

The 2011 science fiction drama *Another Earth*, directed by Mike Cahill, is available to stream on HBO Max until October 31st. The film stars Brit Marling and William Mapother as an astrophysics student and a composer whose lives become tragically intertwined when a second Earth is discovered. Rhoda, captivated by the newly discovered planet, accidentally causes a car crash that kills John’s family and leaves him in a coma. Years later, after being released from prison, Rhoda seeks out John.

Despite being canceled recently, the manga actually placed third in the Next Manga Awards in September. Now that Arvo Animation has announced an anime adaptation, many readers are excited and expect the series to become more popular. The anime is planned for release in 2026, though a specific date hasn’t been announced yet. So far, the studio has only shared a key visual, and fans are eagerly waiting for a trailer. The manga’s creator, Shun Numa, expressed his enthusiasm for the adaptation after the first images were revealed.